IMI News

We’re working for the whole industry and its people says the IMI

Having expanded its responsibilities within the retail motor industry over the past year as a professional body, Government-licensed Sector Skills Council and regulator of the Automotive Technician Accreditation (ATA) scheme, the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) has begun a fresh communication campaign to help its members, employers and industry personnel better understand how the IMI is serving the automotive industry.

The IMI has introduced a new leaflet, “Working for you, working for the industry”, to illustrate clearly and simply its mission and key objectives to improve professional standards by qualifying, recognising and developing people. As well as having it available on its website, the IMI plans to distribute it across the industry over the next few months to employers and other influential stakeholders.

The IMI is also beginning the process of renewing its licence from Government to operate as a Sector Skills Council for the next five years. This will be awarded if the Institute can demonstrate the engagement, confidence and support of businesses within the retail motor industry across all four nations. Relicensing assessments are carried out by the National Audit Office as an independent third party, as well as with employers, before the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES), which is responsible for all 25 Sector Skills Councils in the UK, makes its recommendation to Ministers in July 2009.

Chris Humphries, Chief Executive of the UK Commission for Employment and Skills said:
“One of the UK Commission’s jobs is to oversee the performance management of the Sector Skills Councils and determining whether employers have confidence that their SSC is clearly identifying the priority skills needs and having real influence over the skills system. The process is robust and consistent and by successfully achieving a further licence, an SSC will be demonstrating that they are a credible organisation making a real impact on the skills challenges faced by employers.”

Steve Nash, IMI Chairman and Aftersales Director, BMW Group UK, commented:
“The last year has been a momentous one for the IMI with the addition of the SSC role, the launch of a public campaign to raise awareness of the ATA scheme and a raft of other initiatives to help further the skills agenda in our sector. 2009 will be even more challenging and we are working hard to help employers and their people wherever we can to provide real tangible return to businesses. Clearly communicating our significantly greater role and offer to employers and individuals will play a major part in our activity moving forward.”

The IMI invites employers to give their feedback on its performance to date by the end of January 2009 via the UKCES website at www.ukces.org.uk.

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Notes to editors:

The IMI is the professional association for individuals working in the retail motor industry and the Sector Skills Council for the automotive sector, part of the Skills for Business network. It is also the governing body for the Automotive Technician Accreditation (ATA) scheme, which has more than 11,000 registered technicians.

About Sector Skills Councils:
SSCs provide employers with a unique forum to facilitate:
• greater dialogue with Government and devolved administrations across the UK
• greater impact on policies affecting skills and productivity
• increased influence with education and training partners
• substantial public investment
SSCs have a lead role in developing vocational qualifications that employers want and in researching labour market trends and data. They are licensed by the Secretary of State for Innovation, Education and Skills, in consultation with Ministers in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and on the recommendation of the UK Commission for Employment and Skills.
More information about the relicensing process, including a more detailed timetable, is available at www.ukces.org.uk

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For further information please contact Simon Bennett or Stuart Brooks
Tel: 01992 511521