The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) is on a mission to create a ‘common currency’ for managerial and leadership training among automotive retailers.

NEED TO KNOW
♦  IMI is working with 29 manufacturers and the top 10 retailers to create national accreditation ♦ IMI professional register aiming for 200,000 members between 2014 and 2017

Chief executive Steve Nash estimates that the sector spends £100 million on training, but with no universal accreditation it has little transferable value. The IMI is working with 29 manufacturer brands and the top 10 retailers to create national accreditation to provide a ‘common currency’ of qualifications.

As well as cost savings – since training will not need to be repeated when moving brands – the scheme is expected to attract more aftersales managers as well as providing a defined career path for non-motor industry applicants.

Nash said: “We are a meritocracy; we all know the apprentice who ended up running the show, but we should not glory in being under-qualified, particularly when we are spending all this money on training.”

Nash also thinks viewing the diminishing aftersales market as a battle between the franchised network and independent sector is missing the point. It should be simply professional versus unprofessional with professionalism being a key differentiator.

As the Government has left the industry to regulate itself, the myriad professional bodies and codes of conduct can be confusing for the motorist. The IMI, however, is aiming to provide clarity with its professional register, which currently numbers 45,000 members with a goal of registering 200,000 members between 2014 and 2017.

AM/IMI People Conference 2014

AM and the IMI have jointly launched a new conference to help automotive business retain and nurture their greatest asset – their staff.

The AM/IMI People Conference takes place on June 12 at the Royal Garden Hotel, Kensington, London, before AM's prestigious AM100 Dinner.