IMI Connect for centres
Welcome to your latest centre updates
Things never stand still for long in our industry, and so here you can find all the latest updates relevant to your role. Don't forget that there will be important notifications on IMI Connect. too.
On this page, you'll find updates concerning End Point Assessment, Quality and Compliance, CAS, Policy and more. If you have any questions concerning these updates please don't hesitate to get in touch.
Important updates
Stay up to date with the latest information you need to know about.
EPA
Find out what's going on in the world of End Point Assessments.
Qualifications
Learn of any new information related to automotive qualifications.
CAS
Read our crucial information from the Centre Admin Support team.
Price Increase
As with many industries, costs have continued to rise, and while we’ve worked hard to absorb these increases, we’ve had to make some adjustments to our pricing to ensure we can maintain the high standard of services you expect from the IMI. These changes are due to come into effect on April 1st 2025. The price increases can be broken down as below:
| Product & Service | % Change from the 1st April 2025 |
| Qualification Fees including MOT qualifications | +4% |
| IMI Accreditations | +4% |
| IMI EPA & services | +4% |
| Centre Fees | +4% |
| MOT Online products | +0% |
Centre Digital Achievement Portal
The new look Centre Digital Achievement Portal went live on Monday 6th January 2025. The portal brings lots of exciting new features such as:
- Dedicated Centre portal, specifically designed with you in mind, to make it easier to keep track of your learners issued achievements
- Downloadable digital cards published for your learners for all IMI Accreditation and eligible IMI Accredited products
- The ability for centres and learners to access achievements as soon as they are issued
- Improved notifications of achievements directly to learners
The Digital Achievement portal is accessed via IMI Connect - head to the Systems Access area, then Digital Certificates. To get access to the Digital Achievement portal you must be set up as a user on centres hub and have the digital certificates ‘type’ assigned to you.
This new updated system means The IMI will send an email to learners as soon as their achievement certificate is issued. Any learners with a valid email address in the system will receive the email upon completion. This will invite them to set themselves up on the portal. Please ensure all names are correct at time of claim and the learners are aware of their learner number and how their names are registered.
Apprenticeship Standards: Fresh Developments!
Did you know the IMI supports over 20 approved apprenticeship standards? These are regularly updated to meet the latest industry needs.
The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) has recently launched a new ST0499 Autocare Technician v1.2 assessment plan. We're reviewing and enhancing our offer for this standard, ensuring it’s better than ever! Stay tuned updates will be shared with centres soon. Find out more here.
RealWear Headsets Now Being Used for EPA Purposes
We are delighted to inform you that as part of our commitment to using the latest technologies to deliver you the best services, we are now starting to provide RealWear headsets for End Point Assessment (EPA) during low-medium risk assessments.
Qualification Registration Process for IMI Products Retained in Northern Ireland and Wales
We are progressing with a withdrawal plan for qualifications outlined in the consultation and final outcome documentation, which centres have been made aware of previously.
The process of updating registration end-dates for qualifications in our Quality Learner Management System is currently underway. To complete this for qualifications being retained in devolved nations but withdrawn in England, we kindly ask centres in those nations to notify us of any learner registrations.
The IMI will manually process these registrations on your behalf based on the information you provide in the attached spreadsheet. Please can we ask that these spreadsheets are returned to us using the Enquiry Form within Centres Hub. Should you need any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact our Centre Support Team on 01992 511521 cas@theimi.org.uk .
Please could you ensure your administration teams are made aware of this process, for the attached qualifications list only. This solution is intended to be temporary, and we greatly appreciate your cooperation during this period.
Accident Repair Sector Concerns: Funding Updates
We’re keeping a close eye on the funding reforms in England. As of July 2025, government funding for certain qualifications will be withdrawn, which could impact vehicle body repair and refinishing for full-time students. Rest assured, the IMI is here to support the industry during this transition. We’ll continue to provide updates and explore innovative ways to ensure training opportunities remain accessible.
Together, we can make a difference!
If training centres, colleges, and employers rally behind this cause, we can collectively highlight the seriousness of losing this funding and its potential impact to the skills shortage.
By uniting as a sector, the IMI can present your concerns directly to funding agencies, urging them to revisit their decisions.
Your support is crucial—let’s stand together to secure the future of automotive skills!
Please supply free text letters providing your concerns to productspecialist@theimi.org.uk.
Heavy Goods and Public Service Vehicle Qualifications in Wales
Exciting news for the Welsh automotive sector! The IMI is currently submitting Heavy Goods and Public Service Vehicle at Level 2 and Level 3 (IVET and CVET) qualifications to Qualifications Wales to ensure these essential products are available and meet local needs. To strengthen our submission, we’re seeking support letters from Welsh employers. Your input is invaluable! Here’s what we’re looking for:
- Why these qualifications matter to you
- Projected registrations over the next 3–4 years
- Any specific needs from local authorities
- Details of contracts currently in progress
- Ensure company logos are attached to your letters
By sharing your perspectives, you’ll help us highlight the importance of these qualifications and secure their approval for the future of the Welsh workforce.
Let’s work together to drive progress in Heavy Goods and Public Service Vehicle training!
Get in touch to lend your support or learn more, contact productspecialist@theimi.org.uk.
Enquiry Process Reminder
At the end of 2024, we asked that from January 1st, 2025, all enquiries be submitted through the correct form within Centres Hub. This includes enquiries such as name changes, candidate transfers, online test issues, eportfolio questions and many more. When calling the IMI centre support team, please ensure you can supply your IMI centre number, IMI pin (internal reference number), and enquiry form number.
IMI Centres are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the requirements, processes, and policies for registering candidates and administering online tests. All this information can be found in the operating manual in IMI Connect.
Please ensure sufficient time is left for handling enquiries before any scheduled assessments, we are implementing these changes to reduce phone call wait times and enable better tracking of enquiries for continuous improvement.
Shape the future of automotive talent
We have launched a survey to gather insights into the challenges employers face in recruiting 'work-ready' learners.
We're also exploring employer views on the Apprenticeship Levy to identify areas for improvement.
Your insights will help us understand what works, identify essential skills, and guide policy changes to better prepare learners and apprentices.
We would be very grateful if you could take 15 minutes to give your feedback.
