21. What is Quality Assurance (QA)?
The industry required that IMI install a robust industry standard that is also Quality Assured (QA) by a Government recognised Awarding Body.
QA provides IMI with a robust process to ensure that a training or assessment centre has the necessary management systems, people and equipment to carry out the correct standard of assessment. This ensures each technician goes through a fair assessment to gain accreditation.
22. How will IMI determine the skills required for reaccreditation using AOM?
IMI Accreditation has been developed in partnership with the wider industry. IMI is conducting extensive research and consultation to ensure that the skills tested in the AOM are critical to the needs of the technician in their role. IMI are reviewing both the skills needed today and looking at the skills a technician will need in 3-5 years time, ensuring that the technician will remain currently competent.
23. How can I tell which training is valid for AOM reaccreditation?
Any training or assessment which meets the agreed requirements for IMI Accreditation will carry the 'IMI Accreditation Compliant' logo.
24. How many Assessed Outcome Modules will there be?
The industry will provide IMI with the critical competences to be measured through AOMs. The number of AOMs for each route will be determined by the research from expert working groups and wider industry consultation.
25. How can I access the training or AOM that meets IMI Accreditation requirements?
IMI are developing relationships with training providers to allow the industry to access the relevant AOM to meet the requirements of IMI Accreditation and will identify the training providers that offer the AOM. Each training provider will develop their own training programmes to meet the agreed assessed outcome or just deliver the assessment. Individual training providers will be able to advise the cost of the training /assessment.
The AOM will also be promoted through the IMI Professional Register web area. AOMs may be available through sources such as a vehicle manufacturer and promoted through the Awarding Body or the various IMI newsletters or the IMI Magazinr. The IMI accreditation newsletters will be a central channel for communicating so technicians should ensure they keep their details (especially their email address) up to date at all times.
26. Do the modules provide training or up-skilling?
The AOMs may be linked to a training course for the skills needed to maintain your accreditation. Therefore the individual receives the benefit of both being up-skilled as well as the course assisting to maintain their accreditation. If the technician already has the necessary skills, the assessment centre may alternatively just assess the individual against the skills needed to maintain their accreditation.
27. What's the difference between CPD and AOM?
Continual Professional Development (CPD) can be anything from training and assessment programmes assured by an Awarding Body (i.e. IMI Awards Ltd) to basic learning such as reading an industry magazine or visiting a motor industry related exhibition.
The Assessed Outcome Modules (AOM) meet the specific requirements for IMI Reaccreditation having been developed with the support of industry and Quality Assurance by the Awarding Body. These AOM will be recognised by an official IMI Accreditation Compliant Certificate. The AOM will also be automatically added to the individuals register so the individual, the employer and IMI can keep track of the individuals progress against the target number of AOM needed to gain reaccreditation through AOM.
28. Can an Assessed Outcome Module (AOM) be taken as a 'stand alone' module?
Yes it can. Each module can be certified individually or as part of a cluster of modules. the awarding organisation (IMI Awards Ltd) will quality assure and certificate each module - a £30 fee will apply for each certificate issued.
29. Will the IMI Accreditation Code of Conduct apply to 'stand alone' AOMs?
No. Unless linked to reaccreditation (where the candidate already has a valid IMI Accreditation card in the appropriate route), an AOM will not count towards IMI Accreditation. Candidates reaccrediting via the AOM update route will be required to sign the Code of Conduct and will have their photograph taken by the centre at the time of registration along with the registration fee.
30. Could a candidate taking a 'stand alone' AOM mistakenly think they are being assessed for IMI Accreditation?
It is crucial that centres offer clear and accurate guidance in order to avoid confusion. All 'stand alone' AOMs will be defined on the certificate as ' approved'- inclusion of the IMI logo on the certificate is a must because the modules are aligned to IMI Accreditation and this will only help to bolster their credibility in our industry.
31. Will the successful completion of a single AOM entitle the candidate to be entered onto the Public IMI Professional Register?
No - only candidates who successfully complete IMI Accreditation (either via full assessment or through AOM update) and are in possession of a valid IMI Accreditation card, will be entered onto the public IMI Professional Register.