
Operators simply cannot compromise on either of these, otherwise the implications on business can be potentially damaging.
On the quality side, the irtec technician licensing and IRTE workshop accreditation both continue to be benchmarks in the industry, providing customers with reassurance and enabling them to measure the competence of their maintenance providers.
Irtec has seen significant growth in recent years with now over 15,000 active technicians, 257 irtec-accredited assessors and 59 irtec assessment centres across the UK to date. Meanwhile, the number of IRTE workshops is on the rise, with 310 active workshops accredited and 20 auditors.
Our cover story (page 10) looks at the real value that these technician licensing and workshop accreditation schemes are having in the industry, with some believing that they should become an integral part of all truck, bus and coach technician training programmes.
In terms of road safety, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness is the bible for operators and we take a look at the updates in the Guide’s latest edition that has recently been released (page 20). A constant theme in recent editions has been brake testing, started by the infamous Bath tipper crash of 2015, and one of the latest updates reinforces the message that a brake test must be included in every safety inspection.
Finally, we can all start to get excited after the Institute of Road Transport Engineers (IRTE) launched the 2025 Bus & Coach Skills Challenge that will take place from 2-6 June at S&B Automotive Academy in Bristol.
The event is open to operators of all sizes from across the UK, showcasing the exceptional talents of bus and coach engineers and technicians across the industry, whether
they are an apprentice or seasoned professional.
Visit www.tinyurl.com/y84hc6du for more and to enter. The deadline to register teams is 30 April 2025.