A specialist education centre has been set up at the MCI’s headquarters in Coventry to provide a programme of new qualifications for motorcycle instructors and training businesses.
The idea is to improve the quality of instruction available to the public, providing a “route to safer motorcycling” and thereby encouraging more people on to two wheels.
The Motorcycle Industry Accreditation Centre was officially approved by the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) last year to run vocational courses for both instructors and Approved Training Bodies (ATBs), which will begin in April.
Steve Kenward, CEO of the Motorcycle Industry Association, explained: “Customers currently have no means of distinguishing good from bad when choosing an instructor or ATB. This is particularly important when choosing where to do Compulsory Basic Training (CBT), as the quality of this initial training experience is far more likely to win converts to motorcycling when delivered well.
“Also, those who invest time and money into building a superior business have no concrete way to stand out from less scrupulous operators.”
Professionalising the industry
It is hoped that introducing qualifications for instructors and ATBs will allow the motorcycle training industry to professionalise ahead of any compulsory requirements to do so and before the car training industry has managed to do the same.
Kenward added: “The new vocational qualifications will be equivalent to level three (about A-level standard) and, though voluntary, they will demonstrate to customers that the instructor or ATB involved will far exceed any minimum standards.
“Driver and motorcycle training has been left behind other training sectors in introducing a framework of recognised qualifications. This move should help to change that. Motorcycles should be a natural choice as a means of personal transport and for fleet operators, too, but both need clearer signposts when choosing quality instructors.
“We are particularly proud to be able to launch this ahead of anything similar in the car driver training industry and before any compulsory requirements to do so by government bodies.”
Vocational qualifications are work-based awards that are achieved through assessment and training, which require the candidates to prove that they have the ability to carry out their job to a required standard.
MCI members also agree that more structure within the training industry will allow them to choose training partners more easily and to develop fleet programmes with corporate clients who need greater quality assurances than are currently available.
The individual instructor training qualification will start in January 2015, but the first ATB course will begin in a few weeks’ time in April of this year. Twenty ATBs will be given the chance to be the first in the UK to take a qualification specifically tailored to them. This can be taken by owners, directors, managers or whoever has responsibility for the day-to-day running, as it concentrates on the business of running an ATB.
Those seeking instructor accreditation next year will need to be part of an ATB which has gained MCIAC ATB accreditation.
Karen Cole, director of safety and training at the MCI, who has been instrumental in leading the bid to get accredited status for the MCI added: “Many working in the motorcycle training industry agree that the industry has suffered from a lack of recognition and professional status for too long and that needs to change.
“Accreditation fits into a long-term strategy to deliver a ‘route to safer motorcycling’ model, which is a shared aim for MCI members and the Motorcycle Industry Association Trainers Association (MCITA). We are sure that if we can improve rider safety and raise the professionalism and credibility of the industry overall, we can expect much more support from government, manufacturers and other key stakeholders.”
Cost
The ATB course will normally be £1575, although there is an introductory offer for an initial 20 ATBs, which can be paid for in instalments. The intro offer is only for MCITA members who take a place on either the April or June course.
ATBs interested in finding out more should contact the Course Administrator Lynne Whitehouse on 02476 408036 [email protected]
Instructor training will take place from January 2015 and anyone wishing to take part will need to be affiliated to an MCIAC accredited ATB.