A new initiative to raise standards in car servicing has been welcomed by the motor industry. The new scheme, based on National Occupational Standards, is called Automotive Technician Accreditation and is a voluntary assessment system designed to recognise and increase technical competence.
The tests will comprise a number of timed practical tasks, adjudicated by an ATA registered assessor and an on-line knowledge test. Individuals will be able to achieve three levels of accreditation; service maintenance technician, diagnostic technician and master technician.
To ensure qualifications are kept up-to-date, technicians must be reassessed after five years to maintain their credentials. It is hoped that the system will help improve confidence in the retail motor sector.
