The NMDA is looking for members interested in helping the motorcycle industry develop a new standard for technicians. The first meeting is in Coventry on 17 September.
The association believes the industry needs to work together to develop the standard, which needs to be created within the apprenticeship framework scheduled for introduction prior to the 2017/18 academic year.
The industry will have to provide a background for the new apprenticeship requirements, known as Trailblazers, and produce appropriate syllabuses. It is anticipated that from the 2017/18 academic year these will become compulsory, with employers expected to bear one-third of the training costs and the government funding the remainder.
“The upshot,” says the NMDA, “is that the industry needs to work together and agree to establish a Motorcycle Technician Standard. If this does not happen, motorcycle technicians will be stuck in an apprenticeship cul-de-sac, devoid of funding or transferable skills.”
The association says a sponsoring group of 10 dealers/employers will need to be formed to apply to the government department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) to get the accreditation necessary to receive government funding. This group will also oversee the establishment of the standard. Manufacturers, in this instance, can act as group members on behalf of their dealer networks. Triumph, Kawasaki, Piaggio and Suzuki have already agreed to join this group.
“Since our last newsletter, some dealers and employers have agreed to form a group and an inaugural meeting has been organised by the MCIA and the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) on the 17 September in Coventry with seminars to explain the background of the government policy and discuss how to progress the application for accreditation with BIS. The IMI will assist with this. Following this meeting and in parallel with other actions, a consultation with industry members will be undertaken.”
If you are an NMDA member and are interested in participating in this group contact [email protected] or call on 07515 975157.
The key document can be found at