IRTE signs engineering deal with FTA and IMechE 23 February 2012

The IRTE (Institute of Road Transport Engineers), FTA (Freight Transport Association) and IMechE (Institution of Mechanical Engineers) have agreed to create a career path arrangement for vehicle technicians.

SOE chief executive Nick Jones explains that there are some 30,000 technicians maintaining O-licensed vehicles and semi-trailers in the UK.

With rapid advances in vehicle technology, focusing particularly on cleaner and more environmentally efficient power trains, and with Euro 6 engined vehicles due to become mainstream for all new commercial vehicles from the end of 2013, training and assessment of technicians is vital, he warns.

However, there is a lack of training options for premium technicians and fleet engineers with higher skill requirements who maintain these vehicles. Hence, vehicle operators are increasingly concerned that truck and trailer downtime and higher costs will become more burdensome.

"The IRTE is proud to work with FTA and IMechE on this joint initiative that will directly benefit the industry, and provide a path for committed technicians to develop their careers," states Jones.

"The evolving skills of technicians are crucial in creating efficient and environmentally sustainable commercial vehicle maintenance," he continues.

And he adds: "It is imperative we, as representatives of engineering professionals, provide the platforms to enable our technicians to continue their vital work."

The three organisations will work together to establish a joint steering group, with the aim of creating a career path for motivated and inspired technicians.

Between them, they will organise industry consultation reviews during 2012, says Jones, explaining that the longer term aim will be to produce an industry-agreed technical syllabus.

That syllabus will, he says, be relevant to current industry needs but will also prepare technicians and technical managers for the future, as new technology vehicles are incorporated into modern fleets.

Author
John Challen

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