The theme of developing skills will be high on the agenda at this year’s Commercial Vehicle Show, as the industry strives to meet efficiency and sustainability challenges.
Across the automotive workforce, the industry places significant value in up-skilling its workforce, with 64% of UK companies investing in training for their employees. Automotive manufacturing employers provide around three days of training per employee each year and a number of exhibitors at the Show will focus on skills and training.
The IRTE (Institute of Road Transport Engineers) will use its CV Show presence to demonstrate the importance of evolving and recognising skills and the industry’s key component – its people.
Chief Executive Nick Jones explains, “The IRTE hopes exhibitors will place significant emphasis on the skills of engineering professionals, as it does on the vital products, services and innovations on offer. These four features will ensure our industry will continue to exceed the challenges placed on us”.
IRTE will also welcome the irtec Awards to its stand, to celebrate and recognise the highest scoring irtec technicians in the country. Jointly run by IRTE and IMI Awards, irtec is now seen as the premier independent scheme assessing the competence of commercial vehicle, trailer and passenger carrying technicians.
Nick Jones adds, “irtec has gone from strength to strength over recent years. In addition to the awards, our team will be on hand to help technicians and employers find out how irtec can benefit them, as it has some of the leading industry names. I completely credit the scheme’s success to the competence and professionalism of licence-holders nationwide”.
Other exhibitors offering skills and training advice are The Manchester College and S&B Automotive Academy. Both organisations will highlight opportunities for skills development, and see the CV Show as the perfect forum to boost confidence in engineering ability, as well as products.
Chief Executive of Bristol-based S&B Automotive Academy Jon Winter says, “A successful commercial vehicle sector relies on the skill, competence and professionalism of its people, and this must be maintained as technology gets more sophisticated and competition increases.
“As an educational partner to the SOE/IRTE, the Academy continues to showcase the need for skills and the CV Show provides a dynamic and high profile opportunity to network with industry executives, employers and prospective learners alike.”
The Road Haulage Association will offer advice on Driver CPC training and the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport will explain its professional qualification training structure that combines academic study and practical experience.
CV Show 2012 will occupy four halls of the NEC Birmingham from 24-26 April, covering over 44,000m2 with more than 400 exhibitors.
The Commercial Vehicle Show is owned by the CV Show LLP, comprising the Road Haulage Association, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders and IRTE Services Ltd, the trading company of the SOE (Society of Operations Engineers).