RMA Introduces Training Programme

The Retread Manufacturers Association (RMA) has announced that it will introduce a series of specialist training courses as part of a development programme aimed at increasing the range of value-added benefits offered to RMA members.

Firstly, the Association will be re-introducing its successful City and Guilds Part 1 – Workshop Practice courses for the 2005/2006 year. These correspondence courses, designed for 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. Other relevant topics such as matrices, basic materials, legislation and health and safety issues will also be covered.

The second part of RMA training programme will see the association introduce 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.

The courses, which are aimed at trainee or inexperienced tyre inspectors, sales and administration staff, particularly those who deal with customers and newly appointed staff who need a technical introduction to the subject of tyres, cover how a tyre is made, how it works, the component parts of a tyre, tyre markings and the causes and recognition of tyre damage. These courses will be limited to 12 candidates per course on a first come, first served basis.

The courses are scheduled to start in September 2005 with final examinations to take place at a number of regional centres on 26 Wednesday April 2006.

“One of the RMA’s primary aims this year is to introduce a series of benefits and services in order to provide added value to members of the Association. There was certainly a significant demand for us to re-introduce a City and Guilds training programme and we have already had a significant take-up for the 2005/2006 year,” said RMA director David Wilson, commenting on the programme.

Participation in the City and Guilds course will cost £249 +VAT per candidate for RMA members (£449 + VAT for non-members). The inspection course will cost £99 + VAT per candidate to members and £125 + VAT to non-members.