Citation
(2009), "Parts advisors get accreditation route", Industrial and Commercial Training, Vol. 41 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/ict.2009.03741cab.005
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2009, Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Parts advisors get accreditation route
Article Type: Notes and news From: Industrial and Commercial Training, Volume 41, Issue 3
An accreditation route for parts advisors in the Automotive Technician Accreditation (ATA) scheme was launched at the annual Automotive Distribution Federation (ADF) conference.
Following a pilot program by the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI), which regulates the ATA scheme, two levels applicable to technicians in the parts sector were introduced: parts advisor and senior parts advisor.
Accreditation includes practical assessments incorporating areas such as interpersonal skills, sales and marketing, vehicle identification, picking the correct parts and dealing with those returned. During the one-day assessment, candidates are also required to take an on-line knowledge test.
Rob Gray, of the IMI workforce-development team, said: “Many of the individuals working in the parts industry have never had their skills recognized, so this is the first opportunity for many to gain that recognition.”
ADF president Quintin Cornforth said: “We welcome this addition to the ATA scheme. The independent parts sector has to take steps to organize and regulate itself and the ATA parts-advisor route is a step in the right direction.”
Brian Spratt, ADF chief executive, commented: “It is good to see companies in the independent after-market committing themselves to creating career paths for their employees. The introduction of the ATA program for parts advisor and senior parts advisor means that the parts sector is well on the path to qualification regimes appropriate to members’ needs.”
The IMI is the trade association for people 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 ATA scheme, which has more than 12,000 registered technicians.