December/January 2022

62 AFTERMARKET DECEMBER/JANUARY 2022 TRAINING www.aftermarketonline.net Upcoming training dates and news on courses TRAINING UPDATE The first female intern to undertake the Autotech Academy Internship is now seeing her career begin to accelerate. Despite possessing a Level 1 qualification in Light Vehicle and Maintenance Repair and a Level 2 qualification in Motor Sports, Sophie Hemming found it very difficult to get work as a technician: “I was either under-qualified with a Level 2,” she observed, “or was frankly told that as a woman I wouldn’t fit in.” Instead, she worked as a seamstress, and was leaning towards teaching as a career. Later, working towards Level 3 at Eastleigh College, Sophie was pointed towards the Autotech Academy internship programme, which provides qualified college leavers with a gateway into the industry through a paid internship. Sophie started at Richmond ŠKODA in Botley this September. Group Aftersales Manager Ross Alesbury observed: “It’s always great to see new people coming into the industry, and success stories like Sophie’s are a demonstration that the industry can be inclusive, albeit there is a huge challenge to change perceptions.” Sophie added: “I am delighted to finally be in this position. At college I was considerably outnumbered, and there were only three other women on all of the automotive courses I took combined. However, the opportunities for women, even in the few years since I completed my Level 2 course, seem to have increased within the industry, and I would encourage any other woman, with a passion for motor vehicles or engineering, to follow her ambition.” CEO of Autotech Group Gavin White concluded: “Sophie’s story is indicative of the gender imbalance within the automotive industry. A key objective when we launched Autotech Academy was to make a difference and help close this gap. Sophie’s achievement is testament to this as the Academy team have been instrumental in helping her make the transition from education to employment, and we hope she will be the first of many women to join the initiative.” For more information visit: www.autotechacademy.co.uk RMI Academy of Automotive Skills: MOT Tester Training Class 4 & 7 Level 2 Award in MOT Testing (Classes 4 and 7) courses are available at RMI Academy sites in Southam, Runcorn, Winchester and Lincoln. This is a five-day course which includes an online examination, and a practical assessment which can be completed either at the RMI Academy or at a business premises. Once the course has been completed, DVSA VT8 demonstration tests can also be conducted at an Academy if required. Participants will learn relevant acts and regulations, as well as classes of vehicles and tools for the job. They will also come to understand use of the testing manual and MOT Testing Service (MTS), test standards and procedures and the Inspection routine. Documentation and security are also covered, as well as safe working practices and more. Eligibility criteria apply. If a technician does not have the relevant Level 3 or equivalent qualification required to take this course, Vehicle Technician Accredited Assessment (VTAA) courses are available. MOT Tester Training courses are also available for Class 1 & 2 and Class 5 vehicles. RMI members receive preferential pricing as a benefit of membership. To book visit: RMItrainingAcademy .co.uk Welcome to Aftermarket’s training section. Here you can find the latest on upcoming training dates, as well as news on courses becoming available. If you have information on training you wish to share, please get in touch with the editor via email: alex@aftermarket.co.uk Autotech Academy’s first female intern: On her way