Automotive Technician Accreditation

Automotive technicians celebrate a premier achievement!

A group of technicians from across the country have proven their commitment to the retail motor industry by receiving national recognition for their skills at an event held at training centre Premier MOT in Essex.

At the event all the technicians were awarded with IMI membership and their Certified Automotive Engineer (CAE) certificates. All the technicians have also achieved the ATA (Automotive Technician Accreditation) standard at Diagnostic Technician level in order to become MOT testers in line with VOSA requirements.  

Commenting on the achievements of the technicians, Iain Atkins from Premier MOT said:
"The diagnostic technician training undertaken by the candidates has fundamentally changed their approach to fault finding as it has given them the confidence and the skills to logically and adequately diagnose faults efficiently and get it right first time. This training in conjunction with successfully passing the ATA DT assessment has brought the following benefits to the business; reducing outsourcing of work, reduced diagnostic time and fewer come backs. The business has also been enhanced by the marketing of both ATA and IMI membership to existing and potential customers in order to drive up demand for their newly acquired skills."

An example of how accreditation has impacted a business is that of Khan Khalique, proprietor of Auto Service in Acton in North West London.  A sole trader, Mr Khalique has been working in the sector for over twenty years but undertook ATA assessment at Premier MOT because he wanted to improve his technical knowledge. Though Mr Khalique does not presently provide MOT service he now has plans of doing so by the end of 2011 as his ATA status has now given him the opportunity of becoming an MOT tester.  He previously outsourced 60% of technical jobs that came into his workshop because he did not have the skill and knowledge required to use specialist diagnostic equipment. However, since achieving accreditation he has been able to improve his business by doing 90% of technical jobs himself because of his improved skill and knowledge base*.

Michelle Barrett, National Manager England who was present at the event and said:
"Congratulations to all the technicians who have received industry recognition by joining their Professional Association. This is an exciting time for the sector and the consumer as we take the final step towards establishing real consumer confidence in our industry. Through their accreditation and membership of the IMI, these technicians are able to demonstrate their commitment to maintaining their knowledge and skills enabling consumers to make informed choices about the best place to repair or service their vehicle."

ENDS

For further information and media enquiries please contact:
Simon Bennett LIMI MCIPR, PR Manager 
01992 511521 or 07876 251980
simonb@motor.org.uk

*This research was conducted by Premier MOT in association with the University of East London.

About The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI)
The IMI is the home for members and professionally registered individuals working in the motor industry. It is the industry's Government licensed Sector Skills Council (SSC) the governing body of the ATA and AMA accreditation schemes and is the authoritative source of information, standards, qualifications and apprenticeships for the retail motor industry.
In addition to its normal levels of membership, the Institute can also award to its members two vocational engineering qualifications.  The Certificated Automotive Engineer (CAE) and the Advanced Automotive Engineer (AAE).

These vocational qualifications are unlike any other UK qualifications - they relate to not only certificated academic achievement but also proven skill competence and experience.

·      CAE denotes a qualified motor industry Technician

·      AAE denotes a qualified motor industry Advanced Technician/Supervisor

For further information on the IMI please visit www.motor.org.uk.

About Premier MOT
Premier MOT brings together a dedicated team of industry and training experts with a wealth of diverse experience to provide specialist training for the independent vehicle repair sector. This includes technical training from Fast Fit through air con, hybrid vehicle, diagnostic and up to Master Technician level.

 Organisational training from supervisory through marketing to executive management training is also a specialist area that we deliver. This is backed up by the ability to provide consultancy in all aspects of setting up and operating a vehicle repair business, particularly MOT centres, together with the supply of workshop, MOT, diagnostic equipment etc.

Premier MOT is a registered assessment centre for ATA Diagnostic Technician and Service Maintenance Technician with other disciplines to follow shortly.

Visit www.premiermot.com for more information.