Iveco training school receives IMI Awards accreditation

(Watford, 16 August 2013):  Iveco’s state-of-the-art training school has become an Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) Awards Accredited Centre following a full assessment by an external verifier acting on behalf of the IMI.

The technical training school based at Iveco’s extensive customer services facility in Winsford will start running IRTEC modules in 2014 before introducing its own Qualified Assured Accreditation (QAA) endorsed courses.

The training will be delivered by the school’s five on-site trainers to Iveco dealer staff from across the company’s UK and Irish network.

Kevan Woodier, Iveco’s Training Manager says: “We felt the IMI Awards accreditation would be a perfect fit with what we are trying to achieve here at the training school and for us to become recognised for the quality of work we do.

“The accreditation allows us to provide the IRTEC module to all of our technicians; including Service and Maintenance Technician Certification, Vehicle Inspection Certification, Advanced Certification and Master Technician Certification. We also plan to introduce the IRTEC Service and Maintenance Award for our third year Apprentices in the next academic year.”

Iveco currently runs an F-Gas course certified by Bosch, but the company plans to apply to the IMI for its own certification status.

The next step in the process is for Iveco’s trainers to undergo assessor training, with an external verifier from the IMI visiting the school up to three times per annum to reassess the modules being taught and to assess the trainers.

“Ultimately we want to roll out our own QAA endorsed courses,” explains Woodier. “There is a whole new skill set to be learnt by our trainers in order for them to become assessors, but our aim is that once we have got all the pieces of the jigsaw in place we will be in a position to introduce the new courses to our network in early 2014.”

All Iveco dealers are required to submit a training plan for their staff at the start of every year, with each service technician expected to complete a minimum of five days training per annum, supported by an online ‘Competence Monitor’ used by Iveco to profile the individual’s skills and highlight areas where specific training is required. During its first full year in 2012, Iveco’s new training school delivered 165 courses to 1,731 students, hitting its 100 per cent training target for technicians.

Iveco’s training school is spread across an area of more than 18,000m2 with its own reception, two state-of-the-art workshops and eight lecture rooms, as well as a workshop area with multiple vehicle work bays. The school plans to add a commercial vehicle brake tester and headlight beam setter in the coming months.

IRTEC is an industry recognised safety and competence qualification for commercial vehicle and trailer repair and maintenance. It was established by the Institute of Road Transport Engineers (IRTE) and the Professional Sector of the Society of Operations Engineers (SOE) and is provided by the SOE and the IMI. Technicians are assessed on their theoretical and practical skills and if successful are awarded a five-year IRTEC licence.

IMI Awards is the UK’s leading awarding body for the retail motor industry, running more than 150 nationally-recognised qualifications and accreditation programmes covering body repair, air conditioning, motorsports, automotive management, customer services and business administration. The body has a network of more than 40 centres worldwide and more than 475 training provider and employer partners across the UK.

Iveco

Iveco, a Fiat Industrial company, designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of light, medium and heavy commercial vehicles, off-road trucks, city and intercity buses and coaches as well as special vehicles for applications such as firefighting, off-road missions, defence and civil protection. Iveco employs over 26,000 individuals globally. It manages production sites in 11 countries throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, Oceania and Latin America where it produces vehicles featuring the latest advanced technologies. 5,000 sales and service outlets in over 160 countries guarantee technical support wherever an Iveco vehicle is at work.

2420/13

ref:  IVECO 13038

Tags: