Welcome to Torque, the monthly newsletter from the IMI for Motor Industry employers.

As the professional association and Sector Skills Council for the automotive retail industry we would like to keep you up to date with news, views and information from our sector.

If you have any comments, or if you know anyone who may like to receive this newsletter, please email comms@motor.org.uk.

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In this newsletter...

Careers Champions

Businesses urged to take advantage of funding!

First in Ireland

SkillAuto: Are your employees up for a challenge?

Linzi steers her way to a career at Toyota

Valeting centre is a first for FE colleges

IMI Annual Dinner 2011

IMI on Twitter

Careers Champions

The Careers Champions are a team of passionate and experienced individuals who are dedicated to promoting the retail automotive sector and encouraging young people to consider the motor industry as a potential career choice.
 
We have a team of Careers Champions ready to attend events and careers fairs or come and speak to your local school about the various options that the motor industry can provide as a career.
 
For more information or to book a Careers Champion please contact Nicola Hayes at nicolah@motor.org.uk or 01922 511 521 or visit www.autocity.org.uk to learn more.

Businesses urged to take advantage of funding!

If you are an employer and would like to encourage a female member of staff into a bigger and better job, you may well be interested in valuable funding from the Women and Work Sector Paths Initiative to help with training opportunities.

The funding initiative is available for women in England going through career development training courses between now and February 2011; there’s no time to waste if you’re interested. Employers need to spend a minimum of £1000* for a funding grant of £400 per participant. Whilst that might sound onerous in today’s economy, you can count employment costs in the £1000 which should go a long way towards demonstrating this.

For more information about the Women and Work scheme and how to get involved, please contact Emma Lawson on 01992 511521 or emmal@motor.org.uk.

First in Ireland

Brian Moylan MIMI, Proprietor of Hanover Accident Repair Centre in Portadown, is the first person in a NI bodyshop to successfully achieve ATA within the Vehicle Damage Assessor (VDA) route.

This means Brian (pictured) has proven his current competence as an Assessor and signed up to the ethical code of practice.  Brian said ‘It’s been tough, but ATA brings more professionalism into the body repair business.  On a modern car it’s important to ensure the safety features are repaired properly after an accident, lives could be at risk’. 

Brian has generously offered to give hints and tips to other ATA VDA candidates get through the accreditation.  Having ATA reconised staff is an important step to motor businesses in achieving the British Standard Kitemark which gives customers reassurance of high standards of workmanship.

For more information contact Martin Hutchinson MIMI on martinh@motor.org.uk 0289 073 7986

SkillAuto: Are your employees up for a challenge?

Do you have an outstanding employee with less than three years’ experience in learning or employment in light vehicle, panel or paint? Then please encourage them to enter the SkillAuto competition. Don’t forget that the best from this year’s SkillAuto may also have the chance to compete at the prestigious WorldSkills event to be held in Leipzig, Germany in 2013.
 
Last year’s winner in AutoTech, eighteen year old Alex Knight from Crawley, West Sussex said; ‘I’m over the moon to come first over so many other talented competitors. I’d like to congratulate the other five who made it to the final; they worked hard and did really well. I’d also like to thank everyone at [my employer] Gatwick Honda and the Honda Institute who have supported me in so many ways…’
 
 Entering is simple at www.autocity.org.uk/skillauto where applicants can take the online test. We’ll let you know in early 2011 if  you have uncovered a gem of talent when we announce those going through to regional heats in the spring.
 
Participation in SkillAuto allows for the fantastic opportunity to generate positive news stories about your business. It also shows that you’re passionate about raising skills levels in the industry. Don’t delay – the online test closes on 31st December 2010, so get your employees competing now!
 
For more information about SkillAuto, contact Kelly Shipp at the IMI at kellysh@motor.org.uk or on 01992 511521 who’d be happy to assist.

Linzi steers her way to a career at Toyota

Bridgend College would like to congratulate IMI Awards Level 2 Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Student, Linzi Ann Millard who has gained an apprenticeship with Toyota World, Bridgend.

16 year old Linzi enrolled on the College as part of the 14-19 Work Based Learning Pathways (Motor Pathway) Programme two years ago.

The Motor Pathway provides its students with a real insight into the motor industry on both the technical and business side, as they are required to learn in the practical setting of the College and gain work experience in a garage or workshop. The Bridgend 14-19 Network has supported this Learning Pathway.

During the two years, Linzi continued to study English, Maths and Science along with other GCSE’s at Ogmore Comprehensive School, then one day a week she worked towards her Motor Pathway qualification.

Linzi said: “I would like thank the Motor Vehicle staff at Bridgend College. I am really enjoying my time working at Toyota World and would recommend the Motor Pathway to anyone.”
Motor Vehicle Lecturer, Alun Shorney, said: “Linzi was always enthusiastic and committed to the course. I am very happy to see Linzi gain an apprenticeship with Toyota and wish her all the best in her new career.”

Read more

Valeting centre is a first for FE colleges

The SHINE Car Wash and Valeting Centre is a UK first for FE colleges.   The commercial enterprise run between North Hertfordshire College (NHC) students and Steve Deverick, entrepreneur and owner of EuroShine is located on the busy A505 at the NHC Hitchin campus.The centre was officially opened on Monday 1st November.
 
The car wash and valeting centre is run by the students to the standards set by Euroshine who are recognised for their quality valeting and sparkling showroom finish.  Prior to opening, Steve Deverick spent time professionally training a very capable team.  They are gaining both career experience and the opportunity to work towards a valeting qualification which is currently being developed.
 
Commenting on the project Steve said: he is dedicated to encourage individuals to  “be the best at what they do, whatever it is.”  As a direct result, he believes, not only are his student’s working-partners motivated to deliver premium services but are gaining valuable employability skills vital for their future.
 
NHC’s Principal, Fintan Donohue, is driving a new national initiative for colleges to include an entrepreneurial outlook in curriculum and career development.  He explains: “At NHC we focus on more than imparting knowledge and passing exams.  We aim to help our students to reach their full potential.”
 
The NHC Shine Centre is open 09.00 – 18.00 hrs, Monday to Saturday and 09.00 -16.00 hrs on Sunday.   Car wash prices range from £4 to £10 and full valeting starts at £15.00. 

For more information please visit http://www.shine.nhc.ac.uk

IMI Annual Dinner 2011

We are delighted to announce that the IMI Annual Dinner will be held on Thursday 10th March 2011 at the Landmark Hotel, London.

The evening will commence with a drinks reception at 7.00 pm, followed by dinner at 7.45 pm and will feature the annual Skillmiles Recognition Awards. We will also have an entertaining after dinner speaker.

Although quite a formal occasion, the evening is a wonderful networking opportunity with a gathering of influential personalities from across the automotive industry. Individual tickets are priced at £150 ex VAT, with tables of 10 or 12 also available.

If you would like any further information, please contact Charlisse Wilson on 01992 511521 or via email charlissew@motor.org.uk

IMI on Twitter

Click here to follow the IMI on Twitter and keep up to date with our news

Regards

Sarah Sillars OBE FIMI
Executive Chair
The Institute of the Motor Industry