Automotive Technician Accreditation

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The Automotive Technician Accreditation (ATA) is a trade qualification for all facets of automotive repair in the United Kingdom. It is a voluntary scheme (not legally binding) similar to that for electricians run by the NICEIC and similarly, is not government-run.

## History

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It began in June 2005. It was introduced because the level of complexity required to maintain cars needed more competent technicians, from ATA-registered garages.

Around 25,000 mechanics are ATA-registered.

## Management

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It is run by IMI Awards Ltd - IMIAL, a not-for-profit organisation that is part of the Institute of the Motor Industry (formerly Automotive Skills), based in Brickendon, Hertfordshire near Bayford railway station south of Hertford. They maintain a register of ATA qualified technicians. The IMI is the main national training organisation for automotive mechanics in the UK. The accreditations are a part of the (national) Qualifications and Credit Framework.[1] IMIAL has around 21 full-time staff at its head office. IMIAL is a member of the Federation of Awarding Bodies[2] IMIAL also maintains close contact with the Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency.

### Examination

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Technicians are trained at over 500 approved centres (FE colleges and commercial training organisations) around Britain. Each set of practical tests for each type of accreditation takes around a day, with an online test (for simplicity of marking). It takes place at an IMI Awards Ltd centre.

Nationwide Autocentre in Bradford

## See also

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* Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders
* Retail Motor Industry Federation
* Good Garage Scheme

## References

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1. ^ Ofqual Archived October 6, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
2. ^ Federation of Awarding Bodies

## External links

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* Automotive Technician Accreditation
* Companies employing ATA technicians
* Institute of the Motor Industry
* IMI Awards
* Autocity (IMI)

### News items

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* Garages in August 2010

### Video clips

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* YouTube channel
* Explanation of the scheme
* Customer confidence