Posted by Peter Warman on April 20, 2015, 11:43 am Edited by board administrator April 21, 2015, 7:21 am
This was posted on an automotive news feed and then disappeared just as quickly, not sure why but here is the post anyway
"The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) has asked the political parties to put their cards on the table on the issue of a licence to practise for automotive technicians.
The IMI predicted that the views of 500,000 people working in the retail motor industry would be worthy of consideration for any of the candidates.
IMI chief executive Steve Nash wrote to each of the party leaders laying out its case for a licence to practise. Nash told the politicians that 70% of voters believed a licence to practise already existed, and that they were justifiably disturbed to find their safety was not protected by Parliament.
Nash also stressed that 90% of business owners in the retail motor industry were in favour of a licence, to help them protect their reputations.
Here are the responses to Nash’s letter:
Labour:
MP Ed Miliband said: “We will give the industry the tools you say you need to tackle free riding employers who do not train, such the powers to set levies and licences to practise – enabling employers to drive up standards and build stronger training routes within the sector. We hope to work with the IMI on this agenda in Government”
UKIP:
MEP Nigel Farage said: “Will regulation help women and elderly people in particular from having work carried out on their vehicles which is unnecessary (if indeed it is carried out at all) because these two particular sets of people are unable to check and the garages know this, and even regulated garages can be unscrupulous in carrying out work and diagnosing faults that are not there.”
“Nowadays it is becoming mandatory for cars to go to main dealers for servicing at far greater cost than the local garages used to charge, which is another cause for concern, forcing smaller reputable business to close.”
Conservatives
Nash and head of sector skills James Stockdale met with Lincolnshire MP and transport select committee member Karl McCartney. He promised to take the matter of licensing to David Cameron, stating:
"The truth is that in the UK anyone can work on a car commercially; they don't need qualifications or any training. Just as worrying, those that have relevant qualifications are under no obligation to maintain their skill levels to keep up with technological developments. The public have no way of knowing if the work carried out on their car at a garage has been done safely by a competent professional or not.
"Both the IMI and I believe that this matter needs addressing and I have now also written to the Prime Minister so that he is aware of my and the IMI's views."
With some parties potentially opposed to introducing extra regulation, Steve proposed the IMI’s own government funded Professional Register and IMI Accreditation as a basis for a licence, adding that the IMI would be well equipped to administer the process if needs be.
Nash's letter:
According to the road safety charity Brake, poor vehicle maintenance is at the root of around 2,000 road accidents every year causing hundreds of serious injuries and fifty fatalities. Half of UK motorists also admitted to Brake they had driven with at least one risky problem or defect on their cars for long periods.
In IMI research a third of drivers said they never have their car serviced by a professional. They put this dangerous neglect down to a lack of trust in the motor trade. It all adds up to a dangerous situation, one that Government action could easily change.
Consumers tell the IMI that they can’t confidently choose a garage or mechanic because there is insufficient information available for them to verify the competence of service providers. They say they have to rely on the protection they believe is provided by government in the form of a licence to practise. They assume it must be similar to the Gas Safe register. They’re horrified when they discover no such protection exists.
The truth is that in our country anyone can work on a car commercially; they don’t need qualifications or any training. Just as worryingly those that have relevant qualifications are under no obligation to maintain their skill levels to keep up with technological developments. The public have no way of knowing if the work they’re paying for is carried out by a competent professional or if it is potentially lethal for them and other road users.
The proliferation of hybrid vehicles and complex driver assist systems has already increased the skills requirements for safe working on modern vehicles. Driverless cars will arrive sooner than you think and then the skills gap between the competent professional and the “back street blagger” will be ten times greater. Government action to help consumers make safe choices is now vital to avoid future disasters.
IMI is not asking Government to start from scratch on a licensing scheme; the template for licensing already exists through IMI Accreditation and our Professional Register. These were established in response to a Government request for industry action back in 2007. We did our best with both schemes with limited resources, but they lack the element of compulsion required to protect all consumers and to defend the best in the business from rogue traders.
A massive majority of businesses in the sector are in favour of some form of mandatory licensing, but there are still 148,000 mechanics in the UK whose skills and current competence IMI cannot verify. It is vital that this issue is addressed as quickly as possible.
Through our accreditation schemes, qualifications, and membership, IMI represents the majority of the 500,000 people working in the retail motor industry. We know business leaders and employees in the sector are keen to know the views of each of the parties on the issue of licensing ahead of the General Election. I would be grateful if you could share with me your views on this issue and any plans your party has to address the concerns of the sector and those of the public on licensing for automotive technicians.
I have written to the leaders of each of the main parties asking for the same details. We will publish all the responses together in our magazine, newsletters and in the automotive trade press, which cover the entire sector.
I will of course be glad to discuss this matter with any member of your policy team should you require more information before responding"
Nash told the politicians that 70% of voters believed a licence to practise already existed, and that they were justifiably disturbed to find their safety was not protected by Parliament. Bollocks !!
Nash also stressed that 90% of business owners in the retail motor industry were in favour of a licence, to help them protect their reputations. Bollocks !!
Half of UK motorists also admitted to Brake they had driven with at least one risky problem or defect on their cars for long periods. Really !!
Not saying I'm against a licensing scheme but lets not get there by scaremongering !!!
I am a strong supported of licensing, I also am a member of the IMI. I support and applaud their efforts in trying to get government to enforce licensing, along the lines of the gas engineer and electrician who we get to repair or make changes to our homes. I would welcome a scheme similar to the Corgi gas engineer qualification.
I do not applaud any scaremongering that maybe employed to get the point over.
My household insurance has small print that dictates a registered professional must carry out any maintenance or repairs. My garage insurance States that electrics and safety equipment must be regularly inspected. Perhaps the answer may come from motor insurers writing their policies with a deal of equality.
Hi Jon & Pete, Just a quick Google says there are 30 million motorists in the UK, So, 15 million of them have admitted to driving unsafe motors ! What TOSH !! I know this might sound like nit picking, but we get enough sh*t spouted by the politicians without getting it from people who purport to be representing us !! As the fees stand, then the IMI would stand to turn over £1.7million a year, and I'd bet a pound to a penny that the fee would go up when they knew they had another 148,000 captive new members !! Regards Dave
"I would welcome a scheme similar to the Corgi gas engineer qualification."
I would be happy to see a scheme, BUT as corgi is not the scheme used for gas standard's now (it's Gas safe) it show's how these scheme's can be confusing.
I've been a member of the IMI since 1974 and to be honest, I often wonder why. The magazine has improved of late, but doesn't really reflect the motor trade as it really is, more as they imagine it is. There is much emphasis put on 'Continuing Professional Development' This appears to be a largely paper based exercise for folk with lots of time on their hands. As for the Government, well words fail me. I spent some time with my MP, explaining the drawbacks of the MoT 4-2-2 scheme a few years back. He listened and did follow it up. However he appeared to have very little knowledge of the real world away from Westminster. Politicians being briefed by the IMI, don't hold your breath for a good result.
I've been a member of the IMI since 1985. One of the first subjects I remember them talking about when I joined was a licensing scheme for garages. Here we are 30 years on and still talking about it, although there may be a little bit more determination behind it. I've never felt that the IMI are the right body to govern a licensing scheme. Ask any member of the public have they heard of the IMI, even people in the motor trade have still never heard of them. I know it's down to us members to promote the institute, but it has been in existence for a very long time now. I think that a motoring body that the public can relate to, or local government??, or BSI or similar body should be appointed to govern a licensing scheme.
so we will be checked and vetted by who ever,they will decide whether we are up to the job in the mean time any member of the public can fix is car on is drive,hmmmm terry
I find it funny that according to the IMI my second year apprentice is qualified to join the IMI but myself with 30 yrs experience, multiple accreditation's under my belt, and having worked at vw and ford main dealers, i do not and i need to be accessed at a cost to be offered a chance to join them. Is it worth it i dont know but to keep my accreditation i need to do so many courses and at a cost i feel is wasted, only time will tell i guess