Halfords Autocentre Training Academy

Andy Turbefield CAE AMIMI Head of Quality for Halfords Autocentres. I have worked in automotive since I was old enough to hold a spanner. My Dad taught me about cars and how to repair them. I gained my automotive qualifications and joined Halfords in 1993. Through various changes in the company I have held many roles working my way through Operations, Compliance and Learning & Development.

How and why are you working with the IMI?

I began working with the IMI together with other training providers and the DVSA at the end of 2015 to build the new MOT Tester Qualification. This began a relationship which helped to support our plans to grow our technical training strategy for Autocentres.

How has working with the IMI helped you?

In 2016, we became the first provider to deliver MOT Tester training outside of the DVSA. It was a huge piece of work as at the time we were still creating our training strategy with a new team who were not used to writing lesson plans and schemes of work The IMI Team were a great support through this process. Later in 2017, we were able to gain the support to the design and build four training academies to support the delivery of the IMI Hybrid Electric Level II alongside our MOT, ATA and Fgas Qualifications. The knowledge that we have gained in Electrified Vehicles has also helped us to support the IMI with the TechSafe™ program via the EV Sector Advisory Group.

"The IMI have helped to support the development of our colleagues via our apprentice program and technical training.  We continue to support the IMI’s drive to promote, develop and retain skills to strengthen one of the most important industries in the UK. "

Andy Turbefield CAE AMIMI Head of Quality for Halfords Autocentres