Frequently Asked Questions

22.  What is Quality Assurance (QA)?
The industry required that IMI install a robust industry standard that is also Quality Assured (QA) by a Government recognised Awarding Body.

QA provides the IMI with a robust process to ensure that a training or assessment centre has the necessary management systems, people and equipment to carry out the correct standard of assessment. This ensures each technician goes through a fair assessment to gain accreditation.

23.  How will the IMI determine the skills required for reaccreditation using ATA AOM?
ATA has been developed in partnership with the wider industry. The IMI is conducting extensive research and consultation to ensure that the skills tested in the AOM are critical to the needs of the technician in their role. The IMI are reviewing both the skills needed today and looking at the skills a technician will need in 3-5 years time, ensuring that the technician will remain currently competent. 

24.  How can I tell which training is valid for AOM reaccreditation?
Any training or assessment which meets the agreed requirements for ATA will carry the 'ATA Compliant' logo.

25.  How many Assessed Outcome Modules will there be?
The industry will provide the IMI with the critical competences to be measured through AOMs. The number of AOMs for each route will be determined by the research from expert working groups and wider industry consultation.

26.  How can I access the training or AOM that meets ATA requirements?
The IMI are developing relationships with training providers to allow the industry to access the relevant AOM to meet the requirements of ATA and will identify the training providers that offer the AOM. Each training provider will develop their own training programmes to meet the agreed assessed outcome or just deliver the assessment. Individual training providers will be able to advise the cost of the training /assessment.

The AOM will also be promoted through the IMI Professional Register web area. AOMs may be available through sources such as a vehicle manufacturer and promoted through the Awarding Body or the various IMI newsletters or Motor Industry Magazine (MIM). The IMI accreditation newsletters will be a central channel for communicating so technicians should ensure they keep their details (especially their email address) up to date at all times.

27.  Do the modules provide training or up-skilling? 
The AOMs may be linked to a training course for the skills needed to maintain your accreditation. Therefore the individual receives the benefit of both being up-skilled as well as the course assisting to maintain their accreditation. If the technician already has the necessary skills, the assessment centre may alternatively just assess the individual against the skills needed to maintain their accreditation.

28.  What's the difference between CPD and AOM?
Continual Professional Development (CPD) can be anything from training and assessment programmes assured by an Awarding Body (i.e. IMI Awards Ltd) to basic learning such as reading an industry magazine or visiting a motor industry related exhibition.

The Assessed Outcome Modules (AOM) meet the specific requirements for ATA reaccreditation having been developed with the support of industry and Quality Assurance by the Awarding Body. These AOM will be recognised by an official ATA Compliant Certificate. The AOM will also be automatically added to the individuals register so the individual, the employer and the IMI can keep track of the individuals progress against the target number of AOM needed to gain reaccreditation through AOM.