Case Study: Mike Ward

Mike Ward, a Consultant Automotive Engineer from Bradford, has been one of the first people to join the Institute of the Motor Industry's Professional Register.

The Institute of the Motor Industry, IMI, is the professional body responsible for raising standards in the industry and this year launched the Professional Register. The register represents individuals who are operating to the highest professional standards. It is for IMI members who have proven that they have the right qualifications and knowledge to practice professionally within the automotive sector and continually maintain their professional standards by committing to and carrying out continuing professional development (CPD).

After starting out studying an indentured apprenticeship, Mike spent a short time lecturing before setting up his own business. His IMI membership has stood him in good stead when it came to running his own business.
 
As part of the Professional Register requirements, members need to carry out continuing professional development and this is one area where Mike has found IMI membership to be invaluable. He used to find it difficult to get on relevant training courses as they were opened up to all the dealers first therefore making it difficult for sole traders to get their training quickly. Thanks to the IMI that is no longer the case and Mike is planning on taking a hybrid vehicle training course next.

Mike said: "I joined due to the prestige of being a member and it also gave me letters after my name. I recommend the IMI to everyone and if I have work to pass on I pass it to IMI members. It's relevant to the motor industry and it is a professional way to work and the customer knows the person doing the work has some ethics. From a student perspective it gives them access to a lot of information, and allows them to meet people in the industry. I believe that the industry as a whole needs Professional Registration to be mandatory that way skills will be kept at a high level and up to date.

"I had an IMI member from somewhere down south ringing me. His daughter was at Bradford University and her car had broken down so he contacted me to find out who I would recommend to fix it. Its useful for networking and you know whoever you recommend will do a good job."