Advanced technician training moves centre stage 21 February 2013

Transport body IRTE (Institute of Road Transport Engineers), the FTA (Freight Transport Association) and IMechE (Institution of Mechanical Engineers) are to host a forum to debate advanced technician development and qualifications.

Being staged on 17 April 2013 in Westminster, at the IMechE headquarters, the Technician Professional Development Conference is being billed as about examining the changing demands placed on commercial vehicle technicians and current concerns among operators.

Sponsored by Goodyear, this one-day forum also has a longer-term objective of forging a new career path and qualifications for the UK's vehicle technicians, and is aimed at fleet engineers and workshop managers.

"With advancements in modern vehicle technology, there is a very real need for the skill sets of technicians to evolve to meet requirements," explains Ian Chisholm, head of operations and communications at IRTE's umbrella organisation SOE (Society of Operations Engineers).

"The vehicle technician of the future will not only need comprehensive mechanical knowledge and electronic skills, but will also need to fully understand diagnostic computer systems," he continues.

"This conference will act as a forum for discussing challenges currently facing the industry and developments needed within technician training and assessment."

And FTA chief executive Theo de Pencier adds: "Some vehicle operators are already experiencing excessive vehicle downtime due to a lack of higher-level engineers, emphasising the long overdue need to consult with the industry to provide a structured career path for premium technicians and fleet engineers.

"It is important to start recognising and valuing these skills when acquired."

IRTE says it wants this conference to help the UK make the most of home-grown talent in vehicle engineering, improving and developing skills for whatever the future transport infrastructure holds.

Speakers on the day will include senior traffic commissioner Beverley Bell, chief executive of VOSA Alastair Peoples, and chief executive of the Engineering Council Jon Prichard.

For more information, click on the link below.

Author
Brian Tinham

Related Websites
www.fta.co.uk/events/technician_debate.html

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