AN apprentice car technician from Reydon is only a couple of stages away from the possibility of representing his country in an event to find the most skilled young people in the world.

AN apprentice car technician from Reydon is only a couple of stages away from the possibility of representing his country in an event to find the most skilled young people in the world.

Myles Wink, who works at Lings Honda, in Riverside Road, Lowestoft, is in with a chance of competing in the prestigious WorldSkills London 2011 competition after he made a shortlist of 30 car technicians.

Myles, 19, was entered for the competition by Honda, and after going head-to-head with 500 others in a computer-based exam on mechanical knowledge, he will now be travelling to Slough next month to compete against 29 fellow apprentices in a practical test.

Ultimately, there will be just one person who wins the chance to represent the UK in the biggest skills competition in the world.

'Once they've picked the best in the UK they will go up against the top people from other countries, all competing to be the best. It's a big achievement to be involved,' said Myles.

Over 49 nations will compete in the four-day event in October 2011 as in excess of 40 different skill groups go head-to-head for gold, silver and bronze medals in their own specialism. Medallions for excellence are also awarded to competitors who achieve an international standard at the competition.

Myles, a former student at Sir John Leman High School, in Beccles, and Lowestoft College, has worked for Lings Honda for three years and is in the second year of his apprenticeship.

'I've always been interested in cars,' he said. 'If I do well in my next assessment I will have met all the ATA (Automotive Technician Accreditation) criteria to become a licensed technician.'

Speaking highly of hard-working Myles, Joe Salvatore, after-sales manager, said: 'This is the first time we've had someone go forward for this. It is good for Lings and the service department.'