Identify the Need and Deliver

That's what the IMI endeavour to do and here's an example.  While he was in NI delivering a Train the Trainer course in June, diagnostics expert and Trainer, Frank Massey (of ADS Skill Seek Ltd, Preston) kindly agreed to give an evening Technical Seminar.  Hosted by Southern Regional College over 70 people attended, feedback indicated that there's a great need for diagnostics training and so the IMI organised a course.  Generously hosted by Belfast Met, Automotive Academy, Mallusk, the 2 day course was attended by 9 people.  To let the IMI know what your training needs are, contact the NI Manager Martin Hutchinson on 028 90737986 or martinh@motor.org.uk

Quote from Martin McDaid of Collon Cars in the North West.
"I've seen technical articles from Frank Massey and found them useful so it was a good opportunity to learn from the man himself.  The course showed me that, in addition to the diagnostic equipment I have, with more training and a scope I will be able to deal with most technical problems"

Teachers on Holiday

So what do Motor Vehicle Lecturers do during the summer break?  Well these ones invested their time in attending the final stages of 7 days of diagnostics training with Frank Massey, well known technical expert and training provider (ADS Skill Seek Ltd, Preston).

Organised by the IMI, and subsidised by the Dept of Employment & Learning, 14 lecturers from across Northern Ireland have updated their skills and knowledge on diagnostics with a leading expert in the field.  They have also earned the right to join the Frank Massey Technical Forum to help keep them up to date and will get access to film footage which they can use in their teaching.

This level of expertise around the country will benefit apprentices in training and enable other specialist courses in diagnostics to be run around the province.  So if you feel you would benefit from this type of training and would like more information on what's available contact Martin Hutchinson MIMI, National Manager (Northern Ireland) on 02890 737986 or martinh@motor.org.uk.

Diagnostics Training in the North West

Following on from Technical Update evenings being run across NI by Colleges with support from the IMI, North West Regional College have followed up by running short courses on Diagnostic Techniques for local garages and they are proving very popular.  Participants received their certificates, which gets them a step closer to achieving their ATA qualification, at a Trade Show hosted in the Limavady Campus on the 23rd Feb, where Fyfes had organized demos of a range of equipment.

Graham Young won the IMI Training Needs Questionnaire prize draw £50 voucher, the feedback from all the questionnaires helps the IMI and NI Training Providers know what training and qualifications are needed by the local Motor Industry.

To find out more about ATA or any aspects of training in NI contact Martin Hutchinson MIMI on 028 90737986

2009 Bodyshop Awards

The 2009 Bodyshop Awards were held in Birmingham on Friday September 11 and Daniel Matheson of Bryanson Coachworks, Newcastle, County Down won Young Painter of the Year.  Daniel did his training at Riverpark Training & Development (formerly Blackwater House) whose training organisation previously secured for Northern Ireland a World Skills Gold in 2005 and a Bronze in 2007.

Following NI successes at the NI Body & Paint Challenge in April, the NI Auto Apprentice Championships in June, participation in Skill Auto and these Bodyshop Awards, NI is in a good position to have more medal winners in the WorldSkills competitions in 2011 when London will be the host city.

If you have a promising apprentice, with their date of birth after January 1989, who may be a medal winner please give them a chance to excel and promote your business by contacting Martin Hutchinson 07887591739. To visit the WorldSkills 2011 website click here.

Move Up a Gear

The IMI’s National Manager for Northern Ireland, Martin Hutchinson, recently organised a successful Automotive Sector event entitled Move Up a Gear which was sponsored by the Department of Employment and Learning and G & H Bell Insurance Brokers and had over 150 delegates attend. The event was aimed at promoting professionalism and customer retention within the motor industry with business speaker Philip Hesketh talking about the need for good customer service, as well as featuring practical and interactive workshops with the chance to win tools and a tool box valued at over £600.

Pictured is Colin of ROCO Automotive Solutions receiving his prize from Paul Simpson of G & H Bell Insurance Brokers, with the IMI’s National Manager for NI, Martin Hutchinson.

Diagnostics Evenings are a big success

Thanks to staff from Carparts, Texa, Pico Technology, North West Regional College, South West College and Southern Regional College the recently held Diagnostics Evenings were a big success!

Over 100 Mechanics heard about the importance of having the equipment, technical information and training in order to maintain and repair modern vehicles. Martin Hutchinson spoke about the benefits of IMI membership and especially the ATA scheme, read more ...

Diesel Fuel – Exploding the myths

IMI members and guests had the opportunity to hear, and see evidence, from the Inland Revenue and Customs on the successes they have had working with the Police Service NI and other agencies in making our roads safer, including  taking unsafe, often illegal vehicles off the road. 

Another achievement is tracking down illegal fuels which can cause expensive damage to engines. They operate together to take off the road dangerous illegal fuel transport, ranging from curtain side trailers with domestic plastic oil tanks, to recovery and animal transport trucks with concealed tanks. There is an ongoing battle to trace and close diesel fuel ‘laundering’ plants which remove the dye from red diesel. The diesel produced may look clear but usually it is highly acidic or in alkali so causing expensive damage to diesel fuel systems. In addition the disposal of waste from these operations causes serious pollution problems.

Pre-Apprenticeships in Northern Ireland

Many young people looking to become motor vehicle technicians will choose to do an Apprenticeship where they learn through a combination of on and off the job training. However for school leavers, a 1 year pre-Apprenticeship programme is available and in mid August the Northern Ireland Department for Employment and Learning (DELNI) asked the IMI to help set out the guidelines of what the pre-apprenticeship programme for the automotive sector should contain and how it should be delivered.

A working group of automotive training employers was set up to help determine what these guidelines would be. These are now available to view on www.DELNI.gov.uk

More consultations are taking place to put more detail into the pre Apprenticeship to ensure students get a good quality learning experience and skills/knowledge that will be relevant to employer needs. If you want to have a say in this work please contact Martin Hutchinson (martinh@motor.org.uk).

Those taking a pre-Apprenticeship will need to attend their training provider for 21 hours per week. Here they will learn about the many different sub-sectors within the industry from body repair to commercial vehicles and also learn about the varied jobs roles available from technician to parts advisor. Practical skills from vehicle inspections to the safe use of tools and equipment will also be taught. Similar to a full Apprenticeship, those on the pre-Apprenticeship will also undertake a work experience placement at an employer within the sector.

Completing a Pre-Apprenticeship will give those students a big advantage when applying for an Apprenticeship, especially if they have shown good attendance, timekeeping and success in their Pre-Apprenticeship training.

Diagnostics Course for technicians

                                       

A group of Senior
Technicians from independent garages recently attended a Diagnostics course at Northern Regional College (NRC), Ballymena. This is the first of a series of 1 day sessions originating after an evening event organised by Fyfes Motor Factors, NRC and IMI’s NI Manager, Martin Hutchinson.

“Very often the local Training Provider/College has the staff expertise and facilities to help local independent garage staff access high level technical training.  Local Motor factors can have an important role in making it happen” said Martin.

For more information on what is available in your area contact Martin Hutchinson on 07887591739