9:20 pm, December 29, 2011
AN Essex-based Honda technician has been given the keys to a new CR-Z in recognition of his achievement at WorldSkills.
John Couldridge brought home a bronze medal for the UK at this WorldSkills competition held in London earlier this year.
In recognition, a black CR-Z GT has been presented to him in a surprise ceremony by Honda UK’s managing director, Dave Hodgetts at Glyn Hopkin Honda in Romford.
‘We’re enormously proud of John’s achievement and wanted to recognise this in a meaningful way,’ explained Hodgetts.
‘He worked phenomenally hard for that bronze medal – over three years of study and qualifying rounds to beat off 1500 other hopefuls to win a place on Team UK – all the while holding down a full-time job at the dealership. I hope he enjoys every trip he makes in the CR-Z – he deserves it.’
WorldSkills is a unique global competition where young people from across the world compete to become the best of the best.
WorldSkills London 2011 took place in October, and saw more than a thousand competitors competing in 46 skills, ranging from automotive engineering and landscape gardening to plumbing and web design.
Couldridge competed within the ‘Automobile Technology’ skills category at the event, bringing home a bronze medal for Team UK.
‘I’m not usually lost for words but this has left me speechless!,’ said Couldridge. ‘I was expecting a certificate and perhaps a new torque wrench but this is WAY better! When Honda launched this car, I fell in love with it so to have one for myself is fantastic. The first journey I’m going to make is to drive it home to show my partner, I can’t wait to see her reaction’
