The VISTA (Volvo International Service Training Award) is a platform where skilled technicians from various countries who have passed preliminary rounds showcase their capabilities in a competitive environment. This year, the South Korean representatives made a significant mark, achieving 2nd place in the bodywork category and 5th place overall in general maintenance.
We had the opportunity to interview technicians Kim Joon-su, Shim Soo-yong, and Lim Joon-ho, who earned the 2nd place in the bodywork category, at the Volvo H Motors Seongsu Service Center on the 2nd of this month.
When asked for their impressions, Joon-su Kim emphasized, “When the news of our 2nd place in VISTA spread in Korea, I received a lot of congratulatory messages from acquaintances working in other locations.”
Out of curiosity about the competition’s format, Soo-yong Shim explained, “We departed for Sweden on September 4th, arrived on the 5th, and attended a briefing on the competition. On the 6th, the competition took place in four sessions, each lasting 15 minutes, with breaks every 5 minutes to prepare for the next session.”
The technicians were supported by Volvo’s Personal Maintenance System (VPS), which enabled them to effectively demonstrate their skills. Through the VPS system, they checked the condition of customers’ vehicles and had to determine if bumper repairs were necessary, which was a timing challenge presented during the competition.
Soo-yong Shim mentioned, “I was so nervous during the competition that I lost track of time.”
The format of the competition has also changed from previous years. Joon-su Kim noted, “In the past, written exams and hands-on assessments were conducted separately, but this time, they merged both assessments into a single format,” expressing the challenges presented by the new setup.
In preparation for the competition, the three technicians dedicated time to personal study. Joon-ho Lim stated, “I specifically handle bodywork, so I didn’t often engage with the vehicle diagnostic tools, but I practiced using the VIDA (Vehicle Information Diagnostic Aftersales) system to improve my accuracy and speed in diagnosis.”
In addition to their personal study, the technicians also traveled to the Volvo Training Center in Pyeongtaek for practical training. They emphasized that aligning as a team during their time at the training center greatly benefited their performance during the actual competition.
While they might feel a sense of relief after their recent success, these technicians are already preparing for the next competition. Although the competition is held every two years, local and national qualifiers mean there is only about 6 months left to get ready.
The technicians are determined to participate in the Volvo Service Training Award once again. Out of curiosity about their aspirations, we inquired about their hopes and dreams.
Having already qualified for the competition twice and only experiencing 2nd place, Joon-su Kim expressed, “I want to aim for 1st place and surpass Sweden at the Volvo Service Competition.”
Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr