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ATA - is it any good?

Posted by Steve Nicholas on February 8, 2006, 12:47 pm

"I know the IMI are running the Automotive Technician Accreditation (ATA).
Is this any good?" - Tony Ludford

Hi Tony

SOrry, I did not intend to hijack your post, but this is an important issue which I am also considering.

Does anyone have experience of ATA please ?

Regards,

Steve

Re: ATA - is it any good?

Posted by Tony Ludford on February 8, 2006, 5:01 pm, in reply to "ATA - is it any good?"

No worries Steve, I wasn't sure whether to start a new thread, you've just done it for me.

I'm hoping Frank Massey may respond, as he has apparently done it.

Re: ATA - is it any good?

Posted by Frank Massey on February 13, 2006, 6:17 pm, in reply to "Re: ATA - is it any good?"

Frank is not here at the moment, but I know he will respond to this post when he gets back from Luton next week, as he is very keen to encourage all technicians to take part in this scheme.
This topic was discussed at his Seminar at Mechanex last week,would anyone who attended like to comment on his behalf?
Jean Massey

Re: ATA - is it any good?

Posted by Kim Doerr on March 5, 2006, 11:49 pm, in reply to "Re: ATA - is it any good?"

Hello Jean, I did attend the show at Coventry, sorry I missed Frank's seminar.
I entered the Aftermarket top tech comp and have just done the day at Hinkley college, I passed ATA @ diagnostic tech level.
It was a very well organized day by the ATA people and the aftermarket team, while the ATA tests were being done we were also asked questions by the competition people, four of us were tested and three passed. At the end of the day we had to do an online test, "the more correct answers the better for the competition."
All in all I thought it well worth losing a day, and considering Aftermarket payed the fees, I'm happy.
Regards Kim.

Re: ATA - is it any good?

Posted by Frank Massey on March 6, 2006, 5:06 pm, in reply to "Re: ATA - is it any good?"

Well done Kim on your ATA accreditation,and good luck for the competition,getting to the last 36 is an achievement in itself.
I believe Clive Atthowe has also passed,and he said it was quite a challenge,next step would be to enter at Mastertech level?
Perhaps you will be able to come to the next seminar at mechanex at Harrogate in June
Also check out the latest news section on our website for details of the FMN conference.

Regards
Frank,Jean

Re: ATA - is it any good?

Posted by Andrew West on March 6, 2006, 10:02 pm, in reply to "Re: ATA - is it any good?"

Hello Kim,
Did you get tested on Air conditioning or did you have a choice of steering alignment or air con?
I was thinking/hoping that i could have done the steering alignment as i have no experience with air conditioning & therefore didn't pass ATA & i also stupidly didn't pack enough grease in the wheel bearing test.
I am hopefully taking the two i failed again at the beginning of April, when our closest college starts being able to make assessments.
I was pretty annoyed with myself for making the wheel bearing mistake, seeming as i usually tell my apprentice to make sure he packs the bearings with grease.
We had 6 people at our assessment day last saturday ,3 passed & apparently 3 passed the day before.
Hello to Frank,Jean & david, nice to see you as members.
Regards, Andrew

Re: ATA - is it any good?

Posted by Clive Atthowe on March 7, 2006, 9:52 am, in reply to "Re: ATA - is it any good?"

I also took part in the ATA as part of the top technician competition, i think it could be very easy to trip up on very basic health and safety or basic workshop practices that we all tend to forget after being in the trade for so long .As for air conditioning and four wheel alignment we were not given a choice it was only air conditioning on the day. I thought it would be an option on the day so it's worth enquiring before actually taking the test exactly what you will be doing.

Re: ATA - is it any good?

Posted by Kim Doerr on March 7, 2006, 9:54 am, in reply to "Re: ATA - is it any good?"

Hello Andrew,
Yes I did do the a/c test, It was no trouble for me as I had training at ACP Group just last year (C/Guilds and CITB), In the ATA test you have to use a fully automatic machine, de-gas re-gas, show that you know proper procedures including safety and the environment. I use a semi auto machine and gauges for testing, I would say you will need training on AC, I did three days @ ACP, Chris sends you pre course notes to learn and it does help, so the three days can be spent learning more, It does give you a headache all this learning but I think it is worth it, I would say if you work on cars you must like a challenge, so go for it.
Shame about the grease bit, I would be kicking myself on that one but I found the nerves get the better of you sometimes and cause silly mistakes, also using different tools is a bit strange (cant really explain that one).
Thanks for your kind words Frank, yes I think I will have to have a go at master tech, I will give it a little while though, Sorry I missed your talk at Coventry (got held up and didn't keep track of time). Don't think I will get to Harrogate, been taking too many days off and the work has to be done.
Regards, Kim.

PS, good luck Andrew.

Re: ATA - is it any good?

Posted by Tony Ludford on March 17, 2006, 9:54 pm, in reply to "Re: ATA - is it any good?"

Well, did the deed today.
Quite a strange scenario, being tested/questioned about what you do on a day to day basis.
It will be good for the trade if this does come off, but I fear it will take a while before the smaller companies, and lone technicians can justify doing it.
What I will stress, is the fact that if you fail to pass a section you can retake that section at a later date (within 6 months, I believe) so the whole days examination is not required. However more than 2 areas failed does require a total retest.

Oh, and I passed at Master Technician level

Re: ATA - is it any good?

Posted by johmsm on March 18, 2006, 1:14 am, in reply to "Re: ATA - is it any good?"

And Then Another?

Re: ATA - is it any good?

Posted by Steve Nicholas on March 18, 2006, 8:26 am, in reply to "Re: ATA - is it any good?"

Well done Tony!

What was involved in the process?

Regards,

Steve

Re: ATA - is it any good?

Posted by Kevin Apps on March 18, 2006, 9:29 pm, in reply to "Re: ATA - is it any good?"

Tony.
Very well done, as steve say,s a outline on this would be nice, odviously its difficult, but if more knew the difficulties then perhaps more would try. I was thinking of having a go, but as i have only limited A/C experiance i may be wasting my time.
Kevin.

Re: ATA - is it any good?

Posted by Tony Ludford on March 21, 2006, 9:11 pm, in reply to "Re: ATA - is it any good?"

I believe the Roadside Assistance tests are slightly different to the workshop tests.
Obviously, I'm not sure how, they seemed fun enough to me!

The day consisted of 6 1xhour tests.
Each test is overseen by an examiner.

Fault on TDCi (Ford Fusion - nonstart): using relevant equipment and Data, diagnose and rectify fault.
Fill out Customer assistance forms explaining diagnosis and repair.
Answer questions relating to diesel systems.

Electrical fault (Ford Focus PATS): Diagnose and rectify electrical fault on vehicle using relevant equipment and data.
Fill out Customer assistance forms explaining diagnosis and repair.
Answer questions relating to electrical systems.

Apprentice (Honda Civic Hybrid): guide an apprentice through a vehicle repair or vehicle system, explaining health and safety issues, safe working practices and also the relevant vehicle system whilst investigating fault.

Brake fault & customer focus (Vw Polo ABS): Diagnose and rectify (as required) brake fault on vehicle, using relevant equipment and data. Fill out Customer assistance forms explaining diagnosis and repair.
Explain fault and required repair with vehicle driver.
Answer questions relating to brake systems.

Fault on Engine system (Vx Zafira): Diagnose and rectify MIL on vehicle and repair using relevant equipment and data.
Fill out customer assistance form explaining diagnosis and repair.
Answer questions on emissions and fuel trim.

Online test: 30 multiple choice questions on the IMI website.
These were varied between CAN, HiD lighting, emissions, auto transmissions etc

There may have been more to it, I've just covered the basics.

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