Den Bosch | During Auto Prof 2026, no fewer than 8 auto body repair technicians and 10 auto painters competed in the Skills Heroes finals. Last night – 7 weeks later – the festive finale finally took place at the Brabanthallen in Den Bosch.
In the automotive body repair skills competition, the following are now recognized as the best in the Netherlands:
🥇Thijs Berendsen (Rijn IJssel) & Tristan Hoogstra (Noorderpoort)
🥈Dylano Van Dam (ROC van Amsterdam | Flevoland)
🥉Jurgen Hoppen (Deltion College)
In the auto painting category, the titles went to:
🥇Diesel Scholten (Deltion College)
🥈Lith Alobid (Firda)
🥉Sam van der Meer (ROC Mondriaan)
Young talent in the spotlight
The participants in the Skills Heroes Auto Body Repair and Auto Painting competitions demonstrated at Auto Prof 2026 just how versatile, technical, and challenging the profession is. On a trade show floor where much attention is focused on products, innovations, and market developments, the competitions told a different—and equally important—story: one of recruitment, training, and future-proof craftsmanship.
This is of great value to the auto body repair industry. The sector needs new professionals, and that is precisely why these types of competitions are more than just a contest. They provide a platform for young talent, let visitors experience how rewarding the profession is, and highlight just how much knowledge, discipline, and dedication is already present among the professionals of tomorrow.
As a result, the finalists are not just participants in a competition, but true ambassadors for the trade. They demonstrate what the profession entails, the level of skill required, and why working in auto body repair and auto painting is so much more than is often perceived from the outside.
AMT followed four finalists on their journey to and during the finals at Auto Prof.
🗞 Read Diesel’s (19) story here. ‘The best part is the difference before and after painting.’
🗞 Read Thijs’s (23) story here. ‘Bodywork feels almost like art.’
The finals will return to Auto Prof in 2027
The finals of Skills Heroes Auto Body Repair and Auto Painting will once again take place during Auto Prof in 2027!
With the competitions held on the exhibition floor, young talent will once again be given a prominent platform in a place where the industry comes together. This ensures that Auto Prof remains not only a place where the market meets, but also a place where the future of the profession can literally be seen at work.
