Mr McEwan, who has been in the motor industry for thirty years, became the 3,000th individual to achieve the Automotive Technician Accreditation (ATA) standard back in December 2006. He recently decided to take the next step and join the register to show the professional service customers can expect at his garage.  Ainsley has also renewed his accreditation and is proud to hold Master ATA status.

Professional Register represents individuals

The Professional Register represents individuals who are operating to the highest professional standards. It is for IMI members who have proven that they have the right qualifications and knowledge to practice professionally within the automotive sector and continually maintain their professional standards by committing to and carrying out continuous professional development.

The Register aims to improve the image of the motor industry and gives individuals and businesses a way to show that they're professional, competent and ethical. By joining they also qualify for reductions on training courses.

Mr McEwan, 51, was presented with a certificate of registration by Michelle Barrett, IMI National Manager for England at his workshop in Derby.

Said Mr McEwan: "Joining the IMI's Professional Register sounds very simple. However, it's actually a commitment to undertake training over a three year period. You need to undertake a programme of continuous development and collect 90 points, where one point equals one hour of training.
 I achieved the Master Automotive Technician Accreditation standard five years ago and I am one of only around 1000 people in the UK to hold this Master Technician status and only 27 of these individuals are based in Derbyshire like me. Most people that hold this type of accreditation work for the main dealerships, finding this level in an independent garage like mine is very rare.

"I don't think many people are aware of these quality standards, however, I think it's vital for customers to start asking questions. Why not ask the garage working on your car what qualifications they have to do so? You wouldn't hire an employee without checking their credentials and you wouldn't get someone to fix your PC that wasn't qualified, so why wouldn't you find out more about the person who will be working on the two tonne vehicle you are driving your family around in?"