National Apprenticeship Week is the time when all eyes are on Apprenticeships and the Institute of the Motor Industry is keen to celebrate the variety of options available to Apprentices in the automotive retail industry. National Apprenticeship Week takes place from Monday 6 February to Friday 10 February 2011

Following the recent announcement that the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) had successfully secured over £3 million of investment on behalf of the automotive retail sector as part of phase 2 of the Government's Employer Investment Fund (EIF), the IMI has today announced that it will be re-organising its business to deliver core activities such as the continuing development of membership services and the new programme of work set out as part of its contractual obligations to the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES). 14 new job roles have been created within the IMI which includes a new department to support the forthcoming program of work centered on the vital area of Return on Investment (ROI)

With the New Year ahead the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) is determined to make 2012 count for you and your business.

The IMI's  return on investment (ROI) studies issued last year showed that training drives business and the companies who invested enjoyed increased ROI ranging from 98%-187%

Outstanding automotive technicians who wish to showcase their skills can now put themselves to the test by entering the 2012 SkillAuto competition which is now open.

If you have no more than 3 years experience including training and a desire to be the best in your industry, you can enter online now

Looking back over 2011 the Institute of the Motor Industry has had a productive and successful year on behalf of its members and the automotive retail industry.

National Apprenticeship Week in early February saw the IMI championing the role of apprentices within the automotive retail sector

The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) is delighted to be able to announce that following a rigorous commissioning process, they have been confirmed by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) as the provider to deliver Universal Services for the automotive retail sector.  Universal Services cover the key products of National Occupational Standards, Apprenticeships and Modern Apprenticeship frameworks and qualification related products

Over half the workforce in the retail motor industry is employed by a small/medium business yet according to the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI), 32% of micro-businesses carried out no staff training at all last year. With 1545 SMEs closing in the same period the IMI is calling on employers to take action and understand that investing in skills is good for business and has a positive effect on the bottom line

A new assessment for those working in cosmetic repair has today been added to the Automotive Technician Accreditation (ATA) scheme. Cosmetic or SMART repairs have been developed to offer a fast and cost effective way of repairing vehicle damage

The Institute for the Motor Industry (IMI) has successfully secured over £3 million of investment on behalf of the automotive retail sector, as part of phase 2 of the Government's Employer Investment Fund (EIF), to deliver projects to boost enterprise, jobs and growth. Following a competitive bid process, the IMI has secured investment for all 6 streams of work submitted for consideration by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES)

This week sees the launch of the Headlight competition designed to encourage 13-16 year olds into the automotive world by showing them first hand what exciting roles they could take on.

The Headlight initiative was developed by the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) along side the National Schools Partnership (NSP)