Automotive companies are standard bearers for national training excellence
Vehicle manufacturers BMW, Jaguar Land Rover and Scania are pioneering efforts to develop a UK-wide benchmark quality standard for training in the motor industry.
All three - along with the Thatcham accident repair research centre recently received the new national Training Quality Standard (TQS) from Skills Minister David Lammy and Michelle Roberts from the Learning and Skills Council at the official launch of TQS. Subsequently Bristol based S & B Automotive Academy has now achieved the standard showing excellence in automotive skills.
TQS has been introduced across the board to recognise the best organisations delivering training and development to employers and customers. Working with the Learning and Skills Council, the IMI has been a key player in TQS development within the automotive sector.
Dr Adrian Birch, manager of technical training delivery at the Jaguar Land Rover Technical Academy, described the assessment and verification process as "very robust, providing an open and honest assessment. It is too easy to continue what you are doing and assume that it is the right thing to do without having an external measure".
Scania's award was in recognition of the quality of its training centre in Loughborough, where apprentice training is undertaken by independent training provider Skillnet.
Stephen Brown, programme manager at Scania, commented: "TQS was an opportunity for our training centre to see how it fitted in with not only Scania GB's plan but also the company's global operations. How the centre plays a key role in helping to solve the issue of getting skilled people into the organisation and also raising the profile of the industry in general.'
Les Scammell, career programmes education manager with BMW Group UK, said "The standard has been a powerful analytical tool, helping us to develop and refine the evidence base that underpins our quality improvement strategies".
He added: "The achievement of TQS is seen as an important milestone in the quality improvement 'journey', but not the 'destination'. The benefits arising from a clear focus on customer orientation and quality improvement are well understood by BMW. Consequently, we'll continue to seek new opportunities to pursue these critical objectives."
Adrian Lawson, development manager, quality improvement at the IMI, explained: "The Institute is actively promoting quality training provision through achievement of the TQS which will enable motor industry employers and learners to easily recognise where they can access quality training and development."
Applicable in England, achievement of the Training Quality Standard will provide principal evidence for industry 'Recognition of Training Excellence' by the IMI. Additionally, manufacturer training, FE colleges and training providers will be invited to sign up to a Code of Practice designed to drive professionalism and integrity in the way in which training is managed and delivered. These two components together will meet the requirements of the IMI for the full industry 'Recognition of Training Excellence' award.
Further information on the TQS is available online at www.trainingqualitystandard.co.uk or by calling Adrian Lawson at the IMI on 01992 511521.