RMA Introduces Training Courses

The Retread Manufacturers Association is to introduce a series of specialist training courses as part of a development programme aimed at increasing the range of value-added benefits to members.

As a first step, the Association is re-introducing its City and Guilds Part 1 – Workshop Practice courses for the 2005/2006 study year. These correspondence courses, aimed at operatives in retreading plants, are being administered in conjunction with Newlaw Associates and cover a full range of processes in retread plants including inspection, drying, buffing, repairing, cementing, hot cure tread preparation, sidewall veneer application, hot cure building and precured retreading as well as other relevant topics such as matrices, basic materials, legislation and health and safety issues.

The courses are scheduled to start in September 2005 with final examinations to take place at a number of regional centres on Wednesday 26th April 2006. Participation costs for the course will be £249 + VAT per candidate for RMA members (£449 + VAT for non members).

Regional Courses

Secondly, the RMA will be introducing a series of regional courses entitled “Understanding tyres and principles of tyre inspection”. These one-day appreciation courses cover the essential elements of tyre construction and markings, relating specifically to inspection for retreading or repair within the framework of ECE Regulations 108 and 109.

These courses are aimed at trainee or inexperienced tyre inspectors, sales and administration staff, particularly those who deal with customers, and newly-appointed staff who need an
introduction to the subject of tyres.

The courses cover how a tyre is made, how a tyre works, the component parts of a tyre, tyre markings and the causes and recognition of tyre damage. They are limited to 12 candidates per course and the cost is £99 + VAT per candidate to RMA members and £125 + VAT to non members.
Initially, two locations and dates have been scheduled for Inspection courses:

Wednesday 18th May at Pirelli, Burton-on-Trent
Wednesday 8th June at Cooper-Avon, Melksham

Places are available on a first-come-first-served basis, although further courses may well be added if demand is sufficient. David Wilson, RMA Director, explained that one of the Association’s primary aims this year is to introduce services and benefits in order to provide added value to members.

The re-introduction of the C&G training programme was in response to members’ demands and the RMA has already had a “significant take-up” for the 2005/2006 year.