IMI warns against declining skill levels

[caption id="attachment_5064" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Technicians should invest in new skills, says IMI"][/caption]

The Institute of the Motor Industry has warned against declining skills levels in technicians and garages.

They're saying that garages need to continually invest in new training to ensure technicians can meet the challenges offered by modern vehicles.

The IMI’s comments formed part of a submission to the ongoing Skills Commission inquiry, which assesses the current skill level of technicians across the engineering industry to see if modern skills are up to scratch.

The institute says it is concerned that there is an ongoing shortage of key skills in the motor industry, when seen in comparison to the wider economy.

The IMI wants to ensure garages are continually looking to invest in new skills, and updating old ones.

One of the ways the IMI hopes to ensure this skill investment is by the introduction of a Consumer Code of Practice and skills accreditation for technicians. As garages gain new skills, they also achieve further accreditation.

Sarah Sillars OBE FIMI, executive chair of the IMI said: “The rate of technological change in the automotive industry is currently being driven by competition, consumer demands, and regulation. This is creating a constant requirement for businesses to anticipate change and invest in training to help staff keep pace with developments.

For those who will be of working age in 2015/2020 (70-80 percent of the current workforce) will need to have the right skills to supply and maintain hybrid and electric vehicles.”