The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) is launching a new programme of webinars to give automotive individuals and businesses practical support as the impact of COVID-19 continues to challenge the sector.

The first two webinars, entitled ‘Learning in Lockdown’, will take place at 11am tomorrow (May 6), with a second, entitled ‘Your business survival guide’ following at 11am the next day.

Last month the IMI launched a dedicated resource hub for automotive industry professionals to access during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.

The hub provides support, insight and resources to help automotive industry professionals, employers, learners and training centres overcome the challenges presented by the coronavirus outbreak.

In the first of the its COVID-19 seminars, Learning in Lockdown, Mark Armitage, the industry body’s head of membership products and services will be joined by other learning experts to discuss innovative ways to maintain development and training in a virtual and social distancing world.

The IMI said: “What changes the industry can expect as lockdown is eased will be discussed as well as how the use of different technologies can help employers sustain learning and the new ways to effectively deliver End Point Assessment, including using video-conferencing technology.”

The IMI recently launched a software platform which allows automotive sector employees undergoing training to complete their end-point assessment remotely.

How businesses can meet the new challenges presented when it comes to apprenticeship recruitment will also be debated in the Learning in Lockdown webinar.

Thursday’s business survival guide webinar is specifically aimed at Independent Garages, Bodyshops and MOT centres and will be hosted by James Scoltock, the editor of the IMI’s MotorPro magazine.

Scoltock will be joined by speakers including Andy Savva, 'The Garage Inspector' and independent automotive aftermarket business expert.

The IMI said that the webinar will aim provide insight and advice on keeping staff and business owners safe during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.

“It will cover employee rights and employer responsibilities to ensure legal requirements are adhered to and maintained as well as look at ways to effectively engage with customers through online resources and how to communicate the measures being taken when it comes to implementing social distancing rules at premises,” it added. 

Commenting on the launch of the new COVID-19 webinar series, IMI chief executive, Steve Nash, said: “Our new programme of webinars will enable us to reach out to those in the motor industry – individuals and employers as well as those training and learning - who need advice and guidance on key areas to help them prepare and adapt to an uncertain future as lockdown restrictions are eased.

“We continue to respond to the needs of our sector and these webinars are just one of the ways we are providing vital resources to support our members”.

Further webinars are scheduled for the rest of May. Details will be added to the IMI’s COVID-19 hub page as speakers are confirmed.

To register for the IMI's COVID-19 coronavirus support webinars, click here.