May 2019

MAY 2019 AFTERMARKET 5 www.aftermarketonline.net The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) has welcomed news that apprenticeship starts have started to grow for the first time since the government introduced the Apprenticeship Levy. According to figures from the Department for Education, 225,800 apprenticeship starts were reported between August 2018 and January 2019, within the 2018-19 academic year. During the 2017-18 academic year, 206,100 apprentices started. This was just months after the apprenticeship levy was brought in and the number of starts dropped dramatically. Steve Nash, CEO of the IMI said: “The latest figures on apprenticeship starts are welcome news, albeit with numbers still significantly lower than those achieved before the Apprenticeship Levy was introduced.” Prior to the introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy in 2016-17, 269,600 started. Meanwhile, in 2015-16 there were 264,600. Steve added: “At the IMI we firmly believe that businesses need as much support as possible in order to understand how to they can best use the training funds to which they’re entitled. And we have been offering free expert advice to businesses in the automotive sector to help them understand how they can invest their Levy or co- investment, using this to enhance the skillset within their business.” Anyone who would like to access the expert advice on the Apprenticeship Levy should call 01992 511 521 or email enquiries@theimi.org.uk For all the latest news on training and apprenticeships turn to page 60 Top Technician 2019: Semi finalists announced The semi finalists for Top Technician 2019 are as follows: Paul Adams; Dean Andrew; Gary Brillus; Adam Critchley; Neil Currie; Craig Hewison; Murdo Macleod; Declan Robinson; Andrew Ruellan; Dave Weston. They will be competing in the semi final, being held at Auto iQ in Northampton on Thursday 25 April. From this group, the final five will emerge, who will compete in the final on Saturday 22 June at the RMI Academy of Skills in Southam. Top Technician 2019 and Top Garage 2019 are sponsored by Snap-on, TRICO and Euro Car Parts. They come to you in association with ABC Awards, Auto iQ, the Garage Equipment Association (GEA), the Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF), and the Independent Garage Association (IGA). Top Technician and Top Garage Awards Dinner 2019 Pre-Dinner Drinks Reception Sponsor: TechMan. For more information on Top Technician and Top Garage turn to page 30. Award for National Refrigerants National Refrigerants was the winner of the 2018 Solstice yf European Distributor of the Year award at Honeywell’s spring cooling conference in Valencia recently. The award was presented to Paul Mottram, Managing Director of National Refrigerants, ‘In recognition of exceeding all business objectives, winning new business and driving growth’, by Richard Winick, Vice President and General Manager at Honeywell Automotive Refrigerants. Paul commented: “We are delighted to receive this award and look forward to a continued successful partnership with Honeywell throughout 2019.” IMI welcomes apprenticeship starts increase Ring customers are in with a chance of winning £3,000 worth of prizes, including TVs, iPads, Xboxes and Amazon Echo devices through the company’s Spring Spectacular promotion. Participating businesses will be able to win an Amazon Echo device through achieving their agreed target for the months of April, May and June. Meanwhile, the top 10 businesses that increase their spend by the biggest percentage will also be rewarded with prizes. Ring National Accounts Manager Jason Smith said: “We want to make sure our customers are rewarded for their loyalty, and can get the most from their relationship with Ring. That’s why we’ve decided to run the Spring Spectacular promotion this year, to support our customers with some well-earned prizes.” Jason added: “Contact your Area Sales Manager for more details, or place an order by calling 0113 213 7289 or emailing ordering@ringautomotive.com .” Ring Spring Spectacular is sprung