WIREDGOV

ATA (Automotive Technician Accreditation), a scheme to improve public confidence in the motor industry by formally recognising the skills and ethical competence of motor technicians in the UK, welcomes its 11,000th registered technician.

Governed by the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) the motor industry’s professional association and Sector Skills Council, ATA is the first voluntary accreditation scheme of its kind, recognising professional motor technicians who have proved they have the right skills to work competently, have signed a code of honest conduct and are regulated. Details of where they work and how to contact them are listed on an online register at www.OKwithATA.com

The scheme is open to all technicians based in the UK, whether working as a sole-trader, in an independent garage or bodyshop, or employed by a franchised dealership, for example.

To achieve ATA accreditation, technicians must pass a series of practical assessments and an online test at an ATA approved assessment centre, or achieve an ATA-equivalent standard of competency with a manufacturer-approved scheme. Reassessment is every five years to ensure technicians are up-to-date with the latest technological innovations. All ATA registered technicians also carry an official ATA photo ID card.

There are three competency levels to reflect a technician’s ability and experience. The levels begin at ‘Service Maintenance Technician’, increasing to ‘Diagnostic Technician’, with the highest accreditation being ‘Master Technician’.

ATA has the support of consumer groups. Steve Brooker, Senior Policy Advocate at the National Consumer Council (NCC), said: “It can be difficult for consumers to find a reliable garage, so we welcome the ATA scheme as a means to reassure motorists that their technician has been properly trained and adheres to a code of conduct.”

Sarah Sillars, Chief Executive of the IMI, said: “We launched to the public in July this year as we reached 10,000 ATA registered technicians and the scheme now has over 11,000. It confirms there’s a huge appetite for hard-working professional to be able to prove that they have the skills, knowledge and credentials to work in such an increasingly technically-advanced industry. ATA provides a clear way in which we can verify competence of individuals and help the public to identify them. This will help consumers to make more confident and informed decisions about where to take their vehicle.”

Since the public launch of ATA at the 2008 British International Motor Show, the ‘You know you’re OK with ATA’ consumer message has reached more than 9 million people in the UK, with advertisements in local newspapers, regional radio commercials and a number of major consumer websites.

Companies employing ATA registered technicians include: AA, Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, Audi, Autoglass, BMW, Chrysler, Citroën, Ferrari, Fiat, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar, Kia, Land Rover, Lexus, Mercedes, Mondial Assistance, Nationwide Autocentres, Nissan, Peugeot, Porsche, RAC, Renault, SEAT, Skoda, Suzuki, Thatcham, Toyota, Volkswagen, Vauxhall and Volvo.

Motorists can find a garage employing ATA registered technicians by visiting www.OKwithATA.com 

For further information contact Simon Bennett on 01992 511521. Photos of the 11,000th ATA technician presentation are available on request.

Notes to Editors

• ATA’s 11,000th registered auto technician is Lee Pearce, who works at Toyota dealership, Currie Motors Barnet. To mark the 11,000th milestone, Lee was presented with a bottle of champagne and a cheque for £200 by Jenni Hearmon from the professional recognition team at the IMI.

• The IMI (www.motor.org.uk) is the professional association for individuals working in the retail motor industry and the Sector Skills Council for the automotive sector, part of the Skills for Business network. It is also the governing body for the Automotive Technician Accreditation (ATA) scheme, which has over 11,000 accredited technicians.