IMI and Scottish Trade Association Join Forces To Conquer The Skills Gap

The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI), the professional body for automotive sector, has begun working with trade partners including the Scottish Motor Trade Association (SMTA) to offer businesses access to training that is delivered straight into the workshop.

This new skills partnership will give businesses an opportunity to upskill their staff in the most time-effective manner and help them battle against the growing pressure created by new technology. With a limited number of people beginning a career in the sector, this agreement between England and Scotland will also give SMTA’s members the opportunity to join the IMI at a preferential rate, which includes providing them with valuable access to the IMI’s eLearning training programme.   

Sandy Burgess, Chief Executive at SMTA, said:

“We’ve recently finished the first year of the IMI’s MOT annual assessment where we had predicted to see around 500 individuals entering onto the programme, but this exceeded our expectations where we ended up seeing around 2,500.

“This told me there was an energy and enthusiasm for a virtual format of learning so we have taken that, and with my background with being a Fellow of the IMI, I was very keen to build up the professionalism of the individuals. With this being the main focus SMTA and the IMI have come together to allow SMTA members unique access to a membership level, plus 12 months access to the virtual learning environment.”

Steve Nash, Chief Executive at the IMI, said:

“We’re delighted to be working with SMTA and they do an amazing job of representing the interests of their members north of the border. Part of that is promoting those that are best to do business with and that works on a business level and an individual level too.

“The IMI will continue to work alongside the SMTA to add that stamp of approval for those individuals who want to show their professional status and their professional skills.”