A belated happy New Year from all the IGA team and we are off to a flying start with both lobbying and new member opportunities.

I am pleased to announce that the RMI’s new training centre, the RMI Academy of Automotive Skills, will be running a pilot for new MOT tester training when it opens in April. Testers who take part will be amongst the first in the country to sit on the new course. We need 20 delegates to test the qualification, which will be free of charge. Please see the article below if you wish to put an employee forward.

We are also working with DVSA to deliver CPD training, the replacement for MOT refresher training. You can find out more about how the new training will work in the CPD bulletin article.

A big focus is on the ProMOTe campaign in preparation for the consultation being released this spring which proposes to extend the time before a car’s first MOT from three years to four. You can visit the new ProMOTe website at promote.org.uk for more information. It’s vital that we spread the word to show consumers the dangers of delaying MOTs.

After receiving a reply from the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, we have also written to Andrew Jones, Undersecretary of State for Transport, and are awaiting his response to the ProMOTe manifesto. On Friday I met with Elizabeth Shovelton, the new head of Legislation Enforcement and Standards at DfT, to discuss the proposed 4-1-1 consultation, MOT fee review, and the classic car exemption coming out in the very near future. She is keen to attend one of our member events and publicise their work through us to the trade.

We are continuing to grow and update the IGA website, and over Christmas we launched an education area, containing information, news and downloads relating to hiring apprentices. We have also added a reputable suppliers directory, listing businesses which may be of use. Please contact us if there is any information you’d like to see added to the website - we want it to become a great resource for members.

Finally, last month I took to the garage floor on a visit to SMaRT garage in Woolwich. Find out how well I got on repairing “Owen” the car below and read about the great work the garage is doing to help people excluded from work.

As always, please contact me with your thoughts, comments and interesting stories through the member helpline on 0845 305 4230.