Sarah Sillars, chief executive of the IMI, has officially opened the UK’s first dedicated training facility for vehicle damage assessors.

The Thatcham Automotive Academy is based at MIRA's headquarters in Nuneaton and covers over 370 square metres. It features two large vehicle assessment bays and also benefits from two classrooms to provide enough space to teach 12 students a day.

Having been operational since mid-February, the centre has already trained more than 70 estimators on the B47 – Advanced Vehicle Damage Assessor course.

Later this month, the centre will begin to offer the ATA for ‘bodyshop estimator’ and is looking to expand the training offered to include courses like ‘eScribe explored’.

Jason Moseley, Thatcham’s chief operating officer, said: "The new Automotive Academy is further evidence of Thatcham and the motor insurer’s commitment to facilitating safe vehicle repair, the basis of which is accurate vehicle assessment.

"This facility will provide those pursuing Kitemark certification with the perfect environment in which to prove their competence."

Sarah Sillars, chief executive of the IMI, said: “Thatcham’s new Automotive Academy epitomises the IMI’s ‘Proud to be professional’ campaign, which is about improving standards of workmanship and the credibility of the motor industry and we wish it every success.”