"The IMI has secured funding through initiatives such as Train To Gain, through which around £1,600 per candidate is available, and Women And Work, which it can allocate for qualifying training in the south east, south west and east of England. "

Key facts

• Date: 17th September 2008
• Venue: Sopwell House Hotel, St.Albans
• Sponsored by: The Institute of Motor Industry (IMI)

Motor retailers need to be addressing the issues of skills and high quality leadership in order to prepare their business for the future.

Delegates at the AM People Skills Conference sponsored by the Institute of the Motor Industry on September 17 heard about the latest initiatives and developments that will boost skills and productivity.
 

Speakers

John Fogerty, PAR Training

“Setting clear standards gets most of us to do a better job when we understand exactly what we need to do.”


Allan Tyrer, Institute of the Motor Industry

“As a sector, we have not got our fair share of government funding to support training.”



Stephen Gardner, Learning & Skills Council

“There are only 10% of employers in this industry engaged in apprenticeships.”



Jim Saker, Loughborough University

“The inspirational leaders are those who trust their staff. They trust them because they develop them and their skills.”


Steve Scofield, Institute of the Motor Industry

“Training gives us knowledge. Qualifications confirm that knowledge, and accreditation furthers that knowledge.”
 


A changing landscape

A changing landscape Professor Jim Saker, director of the centre for automotive excellence at Loughborough University, urges dealer managers to consider whether they have a vision for skills.

Some of the failings are at strategic management level, says Saker. Poor controls and lack of leadership have left the UK with a productivity gap compared to mainland Europe, and this needs to be addressed, he says. 

Motor retail needs to get away from its focus on each month end. In order to meet future challenges, it needs to be led by people who have a clear vision of where they want their business to be three to five years on, and who can articulate that to their teams and motivate them.

Those who don’t will risk leaving staff to self-prioritise on the easy work, and avoid taking the tougher tasks in hand. 

The industry needs leaders who are committed to developing their people, to provide them with the skills which will help them identify and overcome the challenges of a changing marketplace.

These will provide career paths and recognised qualifications that reward their progress, and inspire staff to work harder and better.

“The inspirational leaders are those who trust their staff. They trust them because they develop them and their skills,” Saker adds.

Steve Scofield, head of skills development at the Institute of the Motor Industry, says the IMI is working with the automotive industry to establish the building blocks that will create clear career paths for workers.

It wants to help employers make their staff feel more valued and put in place quality training that will stretch workers and create the managers of the future.

An Automotive Manager Accreditation (AMA) programme is planned for March. Like the Automotive Technician Accreditation (ATA) scheme, it will provide industry-wide recognition of the skills and competence of those managers who attain it.

Qualifications are also being developed for 2009, in line with the National Occupational Standards. Saker points out that the IMI must ensure that the qualifications reflect the industry’s job roles.

These schemes could succeed on the power of exclusion, like the industry has seen with ATA. Those dealers who train and accredit their workforce can improve their profile and perception.

For tickets or more information call 01733 468 325 or email luke.clements@bauermedia.co.uk or visit www.ampeopleskillsconference.com.

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