Keeping the IMI (and you) upskilled

Automotive is going through some extreme changes as it shifts to a more sustainable future. Not only that one that’s more connected and autonomous, so it’s incredibly important to stay on top of your skills.

Skills, are at the core of what the IMI does, so it’s little wonder the pursuit of knowledge isn’t just something that the IMI talks about but also puts into practice.

Mark Armitage, the IMI’s Head of Membership Products and Services recognises the need to keep his skills and knowledge on point, especially as the sector goes through some seismic changes: “With the increasing pressures on manufacturers to hit the net zero goals we have seen a real shift in electric vehicle technology, and all vehicle manufactures producing new models with new technology, whether that’s cars, buses, motorbikes, trucks or agricultural vehicles,” he said.

Armitage is no stranger to dealing with changes in technologies, as he pointed out hybrid electric vehicles have been around for many years, and he remembers attending his first hybrid training sessions with Honda and Toyota when he worked at the RAC over 20 years ago now.

Being ready for future developments is something he’s carried forward into his IMI career.

“One of the activities I carry out is chairing the IMI TechSafe Sector Advisory Group, made up of circa 100 individuals and employers across the sector. The group was formed to continue to drive workforce development in new technologies. IMI TechSafe already covers Electric Vehicles and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and with some fantastic uptake in recent times, it’s clear the sector is highly engaged in developing their workforce with these technologies,” said Armitage.

But there are more systems coming down the road, joining hybrid and battery electric vehicles to help meet emissions targets – and systems that will help us stay safe in other ways.

“The next technologies coming into IMI TechSafe will be hydrogen and cybersecurity, with this in mind and as a member of the IMI Senior Leadership team, I need to ensure the IMI Teams knowledge and skills, including my own, remain up to date, in order to ensure they develop solutions that best support the sector,” said Armitage.

“With this in mind, I was fortunate enough to attend the Toyota Training Academy recently, along with 20 other IMI employees, where we learnt about the systems and safety elements when working with hydrogen technologies.”

Anything new can create anxiety, and Armitage admitted that was the case when he first heard that hydrogen powered vehicles could be travelling on the roads in the near future.

“So, it was both interesting and reassuring to learn about how this technology works, being able to walk around the vehicles and touch and feel the components really brought things to life, it was extremely useful to explore the safety critical elements that will be front of mind for the future workforce development needs,” he said.

Armitage and his colleagues who attended the training sessions will take what they learned back to help inform the IMI teams in developing hydrogen qualifications and solutions.

“The Level 1 Qualification in Introduction Hydrogen is now live and available to support the sector. With further qualifications at Levels 2 and 3 to follow soon,” said Armitage.

Industry change is accelerating, so it’s important to stay on top of your skills so you’re ready for the technologies that will form the future of the sector. And the IMI takes that responsibility seriously, as with Armitage and his colleagues, making sure everyone has first-hand knowledge of what’s coming.

Time to find out how the IMI can help you upskill and be ready for the future of automotive? Search its range of courses, qualifications and accreditations to find the knowledge you need.