Automotive retail sector backs technician licensing scheme – IMI survey31 October 2014

Almost 90% of professionals working in the automotive retail sector believe that a licensing scheme should be established for vehicle technicians, according to a poll carried out for the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI).

IMI is lobbying to raise the profile of the licensing debate and is urging consumers to check the qualifications of those who work on their vehicles.

"We have seen a great deal of momentum behind the licensing issue over the past few months in the sector and the results of our survey paint a very clear picture of support for the principle of regulating technicians," says Steve Nash, IMI's chief executive.

"We will be using this information to form a solid proposal to present to the sector and to MPs. We believe a working model for licensing could be formed based on the IMI's Professional Register, with 'continuing professional development' (CPD) and current competency requirements placed on technicians."

In the commercial vehicle sector, the irtec licensing scheme – managed by the Institute of Road Transport Engineers (IRTE) – assesses the safety and competence of technicians who maintain and repair vans, trucks, buses, coaches and trailers. It is voluntary and has been adopted by many organisations, including the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).

Author
Laura Cork

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