Automotive Technician Accreditation

Parts Advisor: About ATA

You can now prove your competence with ATA

With the increasing complexity and sophistication of vehicles and a shortage of skilled individuals, there has never been a greater need for competent Parts Advisors.

Properly trained Parts Advisors are highly skilled professionals, Parts Advisor ATA has been developed to enable identification of them.

ATA is a voluntary assessment programme for Parts Advisors working in the retail motor industry. It has the backing of major vehicle manufacturers, independent parts organisations and the Automotive Distribution Federation (ADF).

ATA registered Parts Advisors sign and are bound by a special Code of Conduct. They are issued with a photo identity card, included on a public register on a dedicated website and there is publicity and point-of-sale material available.

Parts Advisors: A universal standard of competence

To achieve accreditation, Parts Advisors must pass a series of practical assessments and an online knowledge test at an ATA Approved Assessment Centre.

For Parts Advisors there are two competency levels:

• Parts Advisor
• Senior Parts Advisor

The accreditation, which is valid for a period of 5 years, is achieved via an approved ATA assessment centre. Parts Advisors will be required to undertake a one-day practical assessment and on-line test. The assessment cost varies between assessment centres, please contact your assessment centre for exact cost. There is a single accreditation fee, and includes registration, on-line testing and individual photo identity card. The approved assessment centre will also advise the accreditation fee.

Technician pre-requisites
 
To be eligible to take the assessment, a Parts Advisor should ideally: 

 - have a minimum level of industry experience in an appropriate role

-  for Parts Advisors   2 years,
-  for Senior Parts Advisor   5 years

or; 

 - hold a relevant nationally recognised qualification at the same level and have a minimum level of post qualification industry experience in an appropriate role as follows:

-  for Parts Advisors   1 years,
-  for Senior Parts Advisor   1 years