A network of 14 training colleges have joined forces to create the Motor Industry Skills Consortium (MISC). Their intention is to share best practice and create consistently high standards of training provision.

The February 7 launch event, which had former Ford of Britain chairman Roger Putnam as guest speaker, allowed 100 motor industry representatives to find out how MISC intends to transform technical training in the car, motorcyle and commercial vehicle sectors.

Bernard Priest, chair of the consortium steering group set up in July last year, says: “The aim of MISC is to provide a national standard of excellence in all aspects of automotive training, from apprenticeships and industry updating to ATA mechanical and body assessments and management and soft skills training.

“The 14 member colleges in the consortium are strategically located to provide the automotive industry with high quality training at an affordable price throughout all regions of the UK.”

The consortium members, who have been planning MISC since last summer, manage more than £10m of apprenticeship training, with around 3,000 apprentices nationwide. The 14 regional centres feature £50m of equipment and facilities and offer automotive clients standardized national training.

Other training centres can join provided they meet MISC standards and do not encroach on an existing member’s catchment area.

Members work with many leading names from the automotive sector, including manufacturers, dealerships and suppliers.

Those firms include Ford, Nissan, BMW, Vauxhall, Jaguar, Toyota, Volkswagen, Bosch, Ferrari, Pendragon and Snap-On.

Training includes ATA mechanical and body assessment, electrical and electronic systems, body repair, foundation degrees, pre-apprenticeship, industry up-skilling, motorcycles, trucks and vehicle refinishing.