Alfa Romeo technician, Sean Davidson, from Palmers dealership in Hemel Hempstead, has become the 15,000th technician to achieve the Automotive Technician Accreditation (ATA) standard.

Davidson started on the Alfa Romeo apprenticeship programme, part of Fiat Group Automobiles UK, in August 2007 and is currently in his third year working towards a qualification in light vehicle maintenance and repair. He achieved his accreditation at service maintenance technician level at the technical centre in Slough.

To mark the milestone, Davidson was presented with his ATA card, £200 and a bottle of champagne to celebrate his achievement by Nigel Beaven, head of communications at the Institute of Motor Industry (IMI).

Beaven said: “With 15,000 technicians having now achieved the ATA standard, this continues to show that our industry values national recognition of an individual’s current competence and integrity.

"It is valued by businesses and technicians alike and through ATA both are playing their part in raising standards to improve public perceptions of our sector.”