Ebrahim K. Kanoo Fosters Excellence with National Skills Contest and Apprenticeship Awards

TDT | Manama

Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

Ebrahim K. Kanoo (EKK) recently held the 2024 Toyota & Lexus National Skills Contest, a flagship event highlighting technical expertise and professional excellence. The contest brought together 42 employees from various departments, competing across eight categories, including Sales Executive, Service Advisor, Parts Advisor, General Service Technician, Estimator, Body Technician, and Paint Technician.

The event, held at the Ebrahim Khalil Kanoo Training Centre, underscored EKK’s commitment to continuous skills development, aligning with Toyota Motor Corporation’s ethos of Kaizen, or continuous improvement.

Speaking at the event, EKK Board Member Mr. Ebrahim Mohamed Kanoo emphasized the company’s dedication to Bahranization and workforce development. “By nurturing and recognizing local talent, we're contributing to Bahrain's skilled workforce. This year’s contest, with 50% of our 42 finalists being Bahraini nationals, is a testament to our commitment to raising industry standards,” he said.

Toyota and Lexus Sales Executive General Manager Mr. Ismail Akbar highlighted the importance of employee growth. “The contest demonstrates our investment in the growth and success of our employees. By providing opportunities for them to expand their skills and refine their craft, we’re building a foundation of excellence that strengthens our team and reinforces our dedication to delivering quality service while meeting the evolving needs of our customers,” he stated.

This year’s event also featured the third edition of the EKK Excellence Award, recognizing 13 outstanding performers across all divisions. Additionally, 10 Bahraini technical apprentices who earned IMI (Institute of the Motor Industry) certification after two years of rigorous on-the-job training were honored during the ceremony, setting a new benchmark for technical expertise within EKK.

The first-place winners of the contest included:

• Toyota Sales Executive: Mohammed Alashar
• Lexus Sales Executive: Yatin Yogesh
• Service Advisor: Sajid Khan Deshmukh
• General Service Technician: Isa Khalifa
• Estimator: Abdulla Aqeel Jasim
• Body Technician: Vignesh Acharya
• Paint Technician: Inder Kumar
• Parts Advisor: Ahmed Ali Hasan

Runner-up positions were awarded to Supratim Gosh, Shyju Varghese, Mahmood Abbas Omran, Anoop Chengalookaran Lonappanan, Sidharthan Chaliyath Valappil, Alexis Aquino Dilao, Ali Abdulhusain, and Deepak V. Gopalan. Special recognition was also given to the top Bahraini contestants in each category.

Winners received trophies, certificates, and cash prizes in acknowledgment of their exceptional performance, with the contest reinforcing EKK’s reputation as a leader in fostering talent and excellence within Bahrain’s automotive industry.