VI COURSES
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I am writing in response to the letter "VI Training" from an IRTE Member (CM14-20 Oct).
The letter referred to the recently introduced VI apprenticeship scheme which has been set up as a direct response to a skills shortage in the motor industry. This skills shortage has affected the VI's ability to recruit skilled and qualified staff.
The scheme is essentially a modern apprenticeship and has been designed to provide trainees with the skills and knowledge required to become effective vehicle examiners. It aims to give the students a sound understanding of motor vehicle engineering that can be further developed in the future.
Over the next three years the trainees will be working towards an NVQ level 3 in Vehide Mechanical and Electronic Systems that is supported by a BTEC National Certificate in Engineering (Motor Vehicle).
The BTEC and NVQ programmes are being overseen by Soundwell College in Bristol.
The BTEC particularly needs to reflect the diverse nature of the VI work, and to this end additional units covering light vehicles and motor cycles are included in the programme. The scheme has also been designed to develop a range of other skills from analysis, decision making and problem solving skills through to general IT skills.
The result is a training programme that the VI believes is completely relevant to the needs of Vehicle Examiners.
All of our trainees (10 this year) are attached to, and managed by, our training unit for the duration of the programme. This attachment is on a full-time basis although they may be engaged in some testing activity in between college blocks and work placements.
The introduction of the apprenticeship scheme is a positive investment by the VI to develop its employees and ensure a source of skilled individuals to fill vacant VE posts in the future.
David Easton,
Senior Trainer, Vehicle Inspectorate.