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Motorcycle technician trailblazer group keen to get apprenticeships back at the forefront of agenda

NMDA 17/08/2021

“Following a turbulent 18 months for the motorcycle industry, the NMDA has held a successful meeting with dealer members and stakeholders, to discuss the standards for the Motorcycle Technician Trailblazer apprenticeship”, said Paddy O’Connell, Head of the National Motorcycle Dealers Association (NMDA).

In 2018, following three years of intense work, Government singed off the motorcycle trailblazer apprenticeship standard and ‘end-point assessment’, which was designed by a group of dealer employers who formed as a Trailblazer Team for the development of the apprenticeship.

The need for a new employer-driven technician apprenticeship became apparent following the Government’s plans to increase the number of young people learning a skill or craft in all industries, rather than either going to university or into a manual job without trained skills and, possibly, with limited prospects for the future.

Paddy O’Connell added, “Our industry, like many others, is struggling to attract new talent into technical apprenticeships. The trailblazer group is imperative to ensure that we are doing enough to attract the right volume and calibre of people into the exciting, fast paced world of power two wheelers (PTWs).”

“The trailblazer group has reconvened to continue to ensure the standards remain relevant, attainable and that they realistically address the requirements from industry and the public. Amongst the topics discussed were the requirements for businesses to have a clear goal alignment with training providers to create productive new staff members, in a controlled and realistic time frame.

“Attracting new talent into technical apprenticeships has never been easy - thanks in large part to the engagement of this group. We are looking forward to moving things forward and securing a stable workforce for our sector and offering exciting opportunities to the new generations”.

The next virtual trailblazer meeting will be taking place on Tuesday 9 November and is open to all interested stakeholders. Please contact Paddy O’Connell on Patrick.oconnell@rmif.co.uk for more information. 

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About the RMI

The Retail Motor Industry represents the interests of operators in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man providing sales and services to motorists and businesses. The RMI has a formal association with the independent Scottish Motor Trade Association which represents the retail motor industry in Scotland.