Automotive Technician Accreditation

IMI Group Board give the green light for modular ATA

In order to ensure the Automotive Technician Accreditation (ATA) scheme meets the changing needs of the sector, the Group Board of the IMI has given the go ahead to develop a dual approach for technicians to retain their ATA status.

How it will look
The existing approach adopted by over 7,500 employers and achieved by over 26,000 individuals will remain the same giving opportunity to reaccredit via the existing ATA assessment.
A second new approach will enable ATA technicians to retain their status via an ongoing modular basis.

How the modular approach will be developed
The modular approach will be developed from robust and detailed research, engaging expert working groups and industry wide consultation to ensure the development is appropriate, fair and robust.

Priorities and timelines
All ATA routes will be redeveloped to facilitate the modular approach, but this year a priority focus will be the accident repair routes (including Panel, Paint, MET and VDA)

Development will start in May 2011 with the following agreed delivery time lines:
•             Research will be ongoing throughout development period
•             General principle development  - May and June 2011
•             Accident Repair  routes development  - June to December 2011

Go live and launch will be in early 2012

ATA steering group requests
The Accident Repair ATA steering group have made another request to explore if there is a way of accepting current NVQ and SVQ evidence towards ATA achievement. 
The IMI will investigate and provide a position and way forward on the request.

For further information, please contact Ian Gillgrass, Accreditation Manager (iang@motor.org.uk)