 |
| IAM Mechanics’ Local 701 member Greg Dubs receives a gold medal and trophy while being crowned the Kia Skill Cup Champion in Seoul, South Korea. |
The top Kia technician in the world was crowned last week and it just so happens to be IAM Mechanics’ Local 701 member Greg Dubs.
Fresh off earning a spot in the Kia Skills World Cup by placing fourth in the national competition, Dubs traveled to Seoul, South Korea to see where his talents stacked up with the best in the world. Dubs displayed that not only could he hang with the top technicians, he was the best—the 2016 Kia Skill Cup champion.
“I am extremely proud to be able to bring home the gold medal for my country,” said Dubs. “It was truly a unique and unforgettable experience.”
The Naperville, IL technician competed in a series of written exams and practical tests covering a wide range of vehicle diagnosis including electrical wiring, transmission solenoids and temp sensor testing. Technicians were also required to use a special data logger to record and graph data parameters; a tool typically only used by field reps and engineers.
Winners were not announced until the award dinner and ceremony. Dubs suspected he had performed well when he was seated at the first table, directly next to top Kia executive Tae-Hyun Oh.
“I was extremely shocked when they called my name,” said Dubs. “I received my medal and trophy from Mr. Oh and took my place upon the pedestal and watched as they presented my supervisor with the champions’ flag that will be displayed at the Kia Motors America headquarters.”
“Congratulations to IAM Local 701 auto mechanic Greg Dubs for taking home the gold in the Kia Skill World Cup Competition in South Korea,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Philip J. Gruber. “Your triumph proves that U.S. workers are the most talented, highly-skilled workforce in the world. Your union couldn’t be more proud of you, your hard work, and dedication.”
The days of the completion weren’t completely filled with stressful testing, Dubs and the other technicians were treated to tours of the Kia Hwaseong manufacturing facility, the five-story Kia service center, and a Korean folk village to take in the local shops and culture.
Click here to read more about Dubs’ journey to the Kia Skills World Cup.
