NMDA keen to get apprenticeships back on the agenda

The NMDA will discuss standards for the motorcycle technician apprenticeship at a virtual meeting in August for dealer members. The association wants to ensure the programme remains relevant and up to date. “Following a turbulent 2020, the NMDA is keen to get apprenticeships back at the forefront of our agenda”, said Paddy O’Connell, head of the National Motorcycle Dealers Association (NMDA).

In 2018, following three years of intense work, Government signed off the motorcycle trailblazer apprenticeship standard and ‘end-point assessment’, which was designed by a group of dealer employers who formed as a Trailblazer Team for the development of the apprenticeship.

The need for a new employer-driven technician apprenticeship became apparent following the Government’s plans to increase the number of young people learning a skill or craft in all industries, rather than either going to university or into a manual job without trained skills and, possibly, with limited prospects for the future.

O’Connell added, “The NMDA achieved this milestone alongside its members, which allows colleges and providers to use the scheme to train young people to be fully skilled motorcycle technicians.

“It is also encouraging to see that the Government has announced today that incentive payments for hiring a new apprentice will be available through to September 2021. A non-repayable sum of £3,000 will be paid to support organisations costs including uniforms and apprentice salaries.

“We are looking forward to moving things forward this year and securing a stable workforce for our sector and offering exciting opportunities to the new generations”.

Open to all interested stakeholders, the meeting takes place on Microsoft Teams on Tuesday 10 August 2021 at 10:00am. Contact Paddy O’Connell on 07436 404102 if you would like to join.