IMI Connect for Centres
Centre Update - May 2026
Welcome to your Centre Update.
Please take note of key updates regarding our new IMI Centre Agreement, as well as changes to our centre fees. Discover what was discussed in our recent Policy Panel, and share your views on the ZEV mandate.
There's still time to book your ticket for the upcoming UK Garage and Bodyshop Event. And don't forget to catch up on our additional updates, with the latest information on the Apprenticeship Reforms, cyber security best practices and an update on the IMI Heavy Vehicles Competitions.
Finally, in a sneak peek at our upcoming MotorPro Magazine, this month's Centre Spotlight features ChrisnelSA and focusses on their EV training.
Important Updates
Find out the latest updates, including the issue of the new IMI Centre Agreement, a note on our recent policy panel, and updates to our centre fees.
UK Garage and Bodyshop
The IMI will be attending the UK Garage and Bodyshop on 3-4 June. We will be set up in Hall 6 Stand J45. Register for your ticket today, and we'll see you there.
Additional Updates
Keep up to date with the latest Apprenticeship Reforms developments. Be cyber aware. And, read all about the IMI Heavy Vehicle Competition
A Spotlight on
This month's Centre Spotlight features a peek at the upcoming edition of MotorPro Magazne, showcasing ChrisnelSA and their EV training.
Important Updates
Issue of New IMI Centre Agreement
The IMI are providing notice that, as an awarding organisation, we intend to issue a new Centre Agreement to all approved centres w/c 1st June 2026 via DocuSign.
The new agreement supersedes all previous versions and sets out the mandatory terms, conditions, and compliance requirements applicable to your continued approval as a recognised centre. Adherence to the requirements outlined in this agreement is a condition of maintaining centre status.
If you are not the authorised signatory, please see FAQ guidance provided and assign the centre agreement to the relevant person within your organisation.
Action required – mandatory:
- Review the Centre Agreement in full upon receipt
- Ensure all relevant personnel are made aware of the updated requirements
- Sign and return the agreement by 1st August 2026
- Retain a copy of the signed agreement for audit and compliance purposes (PDF version is emailed after signature via DocuSign)
Notification of Changes
The revised Centre Agreement includes updates relating to:
- Professional Services (Section 17)
- Notification of minimum spend (Section 13.2)
- Learner data collection (Section 10.2)
- Reporting and data protection obligations (DSA included)
- Price review 1st August (Section 15)
- Centre Inactivity (Section 18.3)
- 3 year contract
Centres are responsible for ensuring that all relevant staff review and understand the updated requirements. No reliance should be placed on superseded versions of the agreement.
By signing the agreement, the centre confirms its commitment to:
- Ongoing compliance with all regulatory, non-regulatory, quality assurance, and monitoring requirements
- Cooperation with audits, reviews, and compliance checks
- Immediate notification of any changes that may impact centre compliance
The Data Sharing Agreement is now included as part of your Centre Agreement (Section 2) please ensure you supply your ICO number.
Should you have any questions regarding your agreement please contact our Customer Service Team.
We appreciate your cooperation in ensuring continued compliance with our standards and requirements.
Internal Audit & Quality
IMI Centre Fees
As part of our commitment to supporting our customers and enabling effective forward planning, we will be aligning our fees with the academic year, running from 1 August to 31st July.
From 1 August 2026, updated prices will apply to IMI products and services, as outlined in the table below. These changes reflect our continued investment in maintaining the quality, reliability, and support you expect from IMI, including the ongoing development and delivery of our products and services.
| Product & Service | % Change from the 1st August 2026 |
| Qualification Fees UK including MOT qualifications | +4% |
| Qualification Fees International | +4% |
| IMI Accreditations (all routes including assessor awards) | +0% |
| Irtec Accreditations | +4% |
| IMI Accredited Learning Programmes (PDC, PAC, PRC) | +4% |
| IMI EPA fees | +0% |
| Centre Fees | +4% |
MOT online products:
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Policy Panel
The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) brought together senior industry figures on Thursday 14th May 2026 for a high-level policy panel session and discussion focused on the future of automotive workforce safety. Convened by IMI CEO, Nick Connor, the event was attended by Shadow Secretary of State for Transport, Rt Hon Richard Holden MP, alongside an expert panel of employers, legal professionals, fleet operators and academic researchers. It was a productive event that saw IMI TechSafe take centre stage.
Have your say on the future of the ZEV Mandate
As the automotive sector continues its transition to zero emission vehicles, it is critical that policymakers fully understand the real challenges facing our sector.
The Institute of the Motor Industry (the IMI) is inviting you to take part in a short survey to capture member views on the UK Government’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate timeline.
Why this matters
The ZEV Mandate sets the pace for the transition away from petrol and diesel vehicles, with significant implications for businesses, the workforce, and the wider industry. While the direction of travel is clear, there is growing debate about whether the current timeline strikes the right balance between ambition and deliverability.
Through this survey, we want to understand:
- How aware and confident you are about the ZEV Mandate
- Whether you believe the current pace of change is achievable
- The extent to which workforce skills and training are keeping up
- The impact the transition is having on your organisation
- Your views on the timing of the planned 2027 policy review
What happens next?
Your feedback will help shape the IMI’s policy work and ensure members’ views are represented in discussions with government. Your input is vital in helping make the transition work for our sector.
Take part
The survey takes around 5 minutes to complete.
UK Garage and Bodyshop
The IMI will be attending the UK Garage and Bodyshop on 3-4 June. We will be set up in Hall 6 Stand J45, and we'll be demonstrating how, with IMI TechSafe, we are helping to futureproof the world of automotive maintenance and repair.
Find out what courses and CPD are available to equip technicians with the skills and knowledge to work safely and competently on EVs, hybrids, hydrogen vehicles and ADAS technologies. We'll also have interactive, on-stand CPD workshops for people to have a go.
Additional Updates
Apprenticeship Assessment Reforms
There are 16 apprenticeship standards linked to the IMI on the latest Skills England revision list and 10 of these have draft Apprenticeship Assessment Plans (AAPs) currently under review and in consultation with Groups of Persons (GoPs).
The IMI are consulting with employers in preparation for assessment development once final AAPs are published online and actively developing assessment and quality assurance strategies in line with regulatory requirements.
Keep informed on Apprentice Assessment Reforms here
Keep yourself, your business and stakeholders cyber secure
Did you know, 40% of British adults have been targeted by scammers in the past 12 months? Cyber-attacks on schools and colleges are becoming more severe. A recent Teacher Tapp poll shows that 10% of those affected last academic year were critically damaged – up from 6% the year before. Recovery times are also increasing.
It is important to understand the steps you can take to reduce cyber threats, including:
- Installing and updating anti-malware software
- maintaining secure backups of coursework and key systems
- reviewing cyber security practices regularly
It’s also vital to keep data and learner information secure.
The National Cyber Security Centre produces a wealth of information to help organisations understand risks to data and information and how to strengthen your cyber defences.
NCSC recommended starting pages:
- Top tips for staying secure online – guidance on managing your personal cybersecurity
- Cyber essentials – helping you to guard your organisation against cyber-attacks
- Guidance on how organisations can protect themselves in cyberspace, including, 10 steps to cyber security. This guidance is aimed at medium to large organisations that have someone dedicated to managing the organisation's cyber security
- Updated NCSC Small Business Guide. Designed to help small to medium sized organisations prepare their response to, and plan their recovery from, a cyber incident
The IMI Skills Competitions
During the final weeks of May, the IMI Skills Competitions progressed through the national qualifiers for Body Repair, Body Refinishing and Light Vehicle Technology.
Body Repair and Body Refinishing took place at the Eyebox, Coventry.
Automotive Body Repair competitors are rotating through a series of tasks which include; panel replacement, metal finish repair, MIG welding, filler repair, and panel bonding.
Automotive Refinishing tasks include; spray equipment, paint defect rectification, scratch repair, colour matching, and prep and paint a panel. Read more about it here.
Light Vehicle Technology took place at Delphi Technologies, where competitors must demonstrate accuracy, efficiency and a clear understanding of vehicle systems while working under time constraints.
IMI Heavy Vehicle Competitions
Over 180 people are set to take our online test to progress to the IMI Heavy Vehicle Competition qualifiers. This is an amazing result and we are very impressed with the calibre of nominations.
Its been great to see the support from the HGV industry by backing the IMI Skills Competitions. Supporting young learners and apprentices in this sector is vital, and celebrating talent through competitions is a great way to drive technical skills to those coming into the workforce.
Michael Massey
IMI Skills Competitions
Take a look at some photos from the IMI Skills Competitions qualifiers.
Centre Spotlight: ChrisnelSA
Take a look at South Africa's first IMI-accredited electric and hybrid training centre and find out how internationally recognised standards help ensure a skilled workforce capable of working on new and emerging technologies.
This is a sample story from our upcoming MotorPro Magazine, an exclusive member benefit.
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