Progress Recruitment to roll out new MOT Tester Training more widely through IGA

Progress Recruitment Solutions (UK) Ltd, the Norwich-based automotive recruitment specialist, has announced they will be working with the Independent Garage Association (IGA) to make their MOT Tester training courses more accessible to automotive technicians throughout England and Wales.

The training solutions developed by Progress Recruitment with the IGA have been extended so that individuals who are not members of the IGA can now gain access and undertake the courses too, whilst an innovative range of funding options have also been introduced.

From July 2018 the range of training courses, and assessments, each lasting up to 3 days, will be available at both of the RMI Academy of Automotive Skills state of the art training facilities at Southam in Warwickshire and Runcorn in Cheshire.

Having been at the forefront of automotive recruitment for over seven years, Progress Recruitment moved into training to help combat the steep decline of skilled mechanical workers available.

“We’re delighted to be working with the IGA to counter the issues of skills shortages many garages face,” said Laura Rycroft, managing director of Progress Recruitment. “It’s equally important individuals themselves take responsibility for improving their capabilities too in what is a rapidly evolving market.”

Rycroft says individuals are being encouraged to self-fund their own training through a range of incentives that include subsidised rates and flexible payment options – with up to 12 month’s interest-free finance.

“We know for certain that undertaking automotive skills training is one of the quickest routes towards improving career prospects,” she said. “There’s a return on investment as the rewards can be realised either through becoming more valuable to the existing employer or by being better qualified for a future role.”

Stuart James, IGA CEO, commented: “With the national shortage of MOT testers, and the proposed changes to add individual testers to a garage’s risk score, this future-proofing initiative will prove invaluable to the efficient running of an MOT test station. This is one of many initiatives the IGA is working on to bring new testers into the sector, so MOT stations can continue to provide the high quality of service their customers have become used to.”