13. What happens if I don't meet the requirements for reaccreditation through AOM?
If a technician registers to reaccredit through AOM (providing their contact details are kept up to date) the IMI will contact them regarding the requirements for reaccreditation. This means at regular intervals (normally 6 months) the individual will receive an email from the IMI confirming how much AOM they have attended and achieved. Alternatively the individual can log into their profile on the IMI Professional Register web area to view their status against the required AOM. If, for any reason, the individual doesn't achieve the required AOMs within the three year validity period, they would be required to pass a full IMI Accreditation Assessment in order to regain their accreditation.
14. What happens when I achieve IMI Reaccreditation?
Once you achieve IMI reaccreditation, the IMI will send your recognition in the form of an IMI Accreditation ID Card (plus lanyard) and IMI Accreditation Certificate. You will also receive a welcome letter from the IMI with confirmation that you have been placed on the Register which allows the public to view your status in the industry. You will also receive regular e-newsletters. It is important that you provide the IMI with your email address when registering with an assessment centre and keep your details up to date. This can be done online through www.automotivetechnician.org.uk. IMI Accredited technicians will be entered on the IMI Professional Register as of April 2013.
15. How will I receive my recognition?
Once the technician has passed all of the required skills assessments (whether via full assessment or AOMs), the IMI will send recognition to their nominated postal address held on the IMI records. It is vital that technicians keep their details (especially their home address) up to date at all times.
16. What is the IMI Professional Register?
The IMI Professional Register includes individuals in the automotive industry who have proven they have the right qualifications and knowledge to practice professionally within the automotive sector, abide by a code of ethical conduct and who continually maintain their professional standards by committing to continuing professional development (CPD) and proving current competence.
Members of the IMI who are at Licentiate level or above and are currently working in the industry can apply to become professionally registered. In order to maintain their registration they need to remain a fully paid member and log 90 CPD credits over three years.
IMI members using the CPD platform can also access exclusively discounted, groundbreaking training and development.
As of April 2013, all current technicians will be included on the IMI Professional Register.
17. How will the IMI communicate with me about IMI Accreditation?
Once registered on the IMI Professional Register, the IMI will communicate with accredited technicians via email, therefore the technician needs to ensure that the IMI has their current email address. If the IMI fails to communicate to the individual, please ensure that the details are correct within the 'my profile' of the IMI Professional Register. Alternatively please contact the IMI on 01992 511521 or email via imi@theimi.org.uk.
18. How often will the IMI communicate with me about IMI Accreditation and AOM?
The IMI will contact the individual at least every six months via email. This will ensure technicians are kept up to date with the latest accreditation news, provide access to training courses and give relevant information on the sector and the industry which they work in.
19. Does a training course that is QAA meet the requirement for AOM?
Quality Assured Award (QAA) is a product of IMI Awards Ltd, the leading Awarding Body in the motor industry. The Assessed Outcome Module (AOM) needs to be industry recognised and go through a robust process to ensure that it meets the standard. However QAAs are specific to individual organisations and are developed to that organisations own standards. As such not all QAAs meet industry requirements and as such will not be taken as necessarily meeting the requirements of IMI Accreditation AOM.
For an organisation to have its specific programme included as an AOM it must be mapped against the industry standard. This will highlight if and where the programme does not meet the requirement for IMI Accreditation AOM so it can be aligned. If an organisation wants to have their programme mapped they should contact the Awarding Body to discuss the details and costs.
20. I have a national qualification already (e.g. City & Guilds, apprenticeship, NVQ) will this be accepted as part of the changes to accreditation?
A competency based qualification such as an NVQ/SVQ/VCQ may be used as part of the process to achieve IMI Accreditation.
There is criteria which individuals must meet if they wish to use a competency based qualification as part of the process to achieve accreditation. The competency based qualification must
- be in the same discipline (e.g. Paint) and the equivalent level at which they wish to become accredited.
- must have been achieved less than three years before the date of completing the last AOM.
- The technician must successfully complete all the Assessed Outcome Modules identified
The technician will be charged the IMI Accreditation for the AOM by the approved assessment centre and also a registration fee for the accreditation.