Businesses employing technicians who have achieved Automotive Technician Accreditation (ATA) status, have reported increased motivation and team morale as a result of the the ATA scheme, which launched last year.

There are 1,500 vehicle technicians across the UK which hold an ATA photo identity card and the initiative’s governing body, the Institute of the Motor Industry, is seeking to double this number by the end of 2006.

Alan Anderson, group service director, Lifestyle Europe, which employs 11 accredited technicians within its Ford dealerships across Kent, Surrey and Sussex, said: "We have found that any training or assessment that recognises and rewards individuals is good for morale.

“The ATA scheme is a universal standard so it is a true gauge of technical ability, which has been very well received by our technicians. We anticipate having over 40 ATA accredited technicians by the end of June this year and will use the scheme to assess new recruits to our business in the future."

  • Click here to get more information on the ATA scheme