Toyota Kenya Limited and Total Kenya have announced a three-month skill-based competition targeting the Jua-Kali mechanics. The competition dubbed, Total Quartz Golden Spanner Competition scheduled to run from mid-August to November 2019, will see mechanics from across the country battle it out for the grand prize of a brand-new Toyota Hilux single cab pickup valued at Sh3 million.
The first and second runners up will obtain Sh.500, 000 and Sh.250, 000 respectively to help further grow their businesses. According to Toyota Kenya Managing Director (MD), Arvinder Reel, the competition aims to equip the entrants with skills in a number of vehicle diagnostic and service areas.
He further added that the entrants in the first round of the competition will take part in four elimination challenges namely tool challenge, spark plug challenge, oil filter challenge and quick fire challenge.
“Successful participants in the first round will proceed to the second round of the competition to be held in 14 regions across the country,” said Mr. Reel.
He further noted that the competition will feature three stages taking place at selected Toyota Service centres outlets nationwide and the grand finale at the Toyota Kenya Academy (TKA) in Nairobi.
Speaking during the launch of the competition on Tuesday, the MD said that the second round will be rolled out at Toyota Kenya dealer workshops, in regions where the mechanics will be tested on theory and practical evaluations that will be facilitated by the TKA training instructors.
“Three candidates will then be shortlisted to attend the finals in Nairobi at TKA which will run for 5 days, where the contestants will go through various elimination challenges that will see 10 compete for the grand prize” he said.
He added that the competition aims to build self-reliant young people who embrace blue-collar jobs and create opportunities for them and secure bright futures and maximize through maximizing their potential.
The Total Kenya Managing Director, Olagoke Aluko said that mechanics buying any Total Quartz Engine Oil brands will obtain a scratch coupon with a short code that will be required to send to 40740, upon which the contestants will be sent two sets of questions which they will be required to respond to.
He further added that the contestants will be awarded points based on the number of correct answers given, with those having the highest score getting a ticket into the competition.
“In addition to getting a chance to win the grand prize, the competitors will further hone their mechanic skills and knowledge in automotive servicing and repairs which will help grow their individual start-ups or businesses,” added Aluko.
