A Dunedin automotive technician has taken out first place in an Asia Pacific competition and will now compete in the world finals in London.

Danny Churcher from Armstrong Prestige Dunedin beat 15 other technicians from the region to take the title of Jaguar Land Rover Asia Pacific Technician of the Year at the Singapore event.

Jaguar Land Rover’s NZ general manager Steve Kenchington says competition for the title is intense.

“Competitors must go through a prequalifying round before they can enter. They are tested individually on theory and have a practical assessment in front of the company’s factory technical trainers.

“The technology coming through in new vehicles has evolved significantly over the past decade - this has placed more emphasis on their knowledge of electronic componentry,” he says.

Kenchington says is important to recognise the success of our skilled professionals.

“The competition is a way we can help inspire the work of a future generation of technicians. As our vehicles become increasingly more sophisticated, we need to support the training and development of this sector of the economy,” he says.

Kenchington says three technicians from around NZ successfully pre-qualified for the Singapore competition - more than any other country in the region.

“In addition to Danny we we're also proud to see Mike Peddle from Duncan & Ebbett Tauranga, and Morgan Rees from Duncan & Ebbett Hamilton able to compete in Singapore - with Morgan taking out a third,” he says.

Churcher will compete for the title of Jaguar Land Rover World Technician of the Year at the company’s headquarters in Whitley, UK.