Kia holds 12th Skill World Cup to identify top global mobility technicians

• Global competition to enhance service excellence and technical expertise across Kia’s worldwide service network
• 42 technicians from 40 countries compete in theory and practical evaluations of vehicles and components
• EV-related assessment introduced to strengthen capabilities in electrification era
• Representing the UK, Tom Sharples from Ken Jervis Kia wins the Gold Award

Kia has successfully concluded the 12th Kia Skill World Cup, where UK representative Tom Sharples (Ken Jervis Kia, Stoke-on-Trent) was named winner of the Gold Award.

The competition was held from 19-21 May at Sofitel Ambassador Seoul and Kia Osan Training Center in Yongin, Korea.

The Kia Skill World Cup is a global technical competition designed to identify outstanding global service technicians and enhance overall service capabilities. First launched in 2002, the event has been held biennially as one of Kia’s flagship global training and skills initiatives.

This year, 42 technicians representing 40 countries, selected through regional preliminary rounds, competed in both written and practical assessments, evaluating their expertise in service theory as well as vehicle and component diagnostics.

The UK had two representatives competing this year, Tom Sharples and Matthew Carrington (Brindley Kia, West Bromwich). Earlier this year, Tom was named the winner of the UK Technician Skills competition.

This latest Gold Award follows significant UK success at previous Kia Skills competitions, including at last year’s 2025 Service Advisor World Cup, in which James Felgate (John Grose Kia, Lowestoft) won the gold medal, and in 2021 when David Weston, (Snows Kia, Guildford), won the gold medal at the EV Skill World Cup 2021.

How does the Kia Skill World Cup strengthen technical expertise?
The competition is designed to enhance real-world diagnostic and repair capabilities across Kia’s global service network. Participants were tested on:

• Service theory knowledge through written examinations
• Vehicle diagnostics and repair skills in practical evaluations
• Component-level analysis to assess precision and technical depth

Notably, the 12th edition introduced new evaluation criteria related to electric vehicles (EVs), reflecting the industry’s ongoing shift toward electrification. In addition, the range of vehicle models used in practical testing was expanded to better simulate diverse real-world service scenarios.

Who were the winners of the 12th Kia Skill World Cup?
Representing the UK, Tom Sharples has won the Gold Award with an impressive total score of 708 points.

Other top performers included Guo Wenlei from China and Aaron Addison representing the United States both picked up the Silver Award, while Bronze Awards went to Jorian van Harten (Netherlands), Max Umbs (United States), and Maciej Podlecki (Poland).

Winners received trophies and medals along with prize money comprising of $5,000 USD for Gold; $3,000 for Silver; and $2,000 for Bronze. In addition, six participants received Excellence Awards, each with a plaque and $500.

How does this align with Kia’s future strategy?
Through the Kia Skill World Cup, Kia continues to strengthen service capabilities aligned with the transition to electrified mobility. The company aims to further enhance technician expertise to deliver a higher level of customer service worldwide, ensuring readiness for rapidly evolving vehicle technologies.

Beyond the competition, the event also served as a collaborative platform for cultural exchange and global networking. Participants engaged in programs to experience Korean culture, including its heritage, lifestyle, and contemporary trends, while building stronger connections with peers from around the world.

Ends

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