BMW, Jaguar Land Rover and Scania have received the Training Quality Standard (TQS) as the first three manufacturers to undertake assessment under a pilot scheme.

TQS, which has also been awarded to Thatcham accident repair research centre and Bristol-based S&B Automotive Academy, aims to develop a UK-wide quality standard for training in the motor industry.

Launched by the Learning and Skills Council, TQS is for all sectors, but is being developed for the automotive sector by the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI).

Adrian Lawson, IMI development manager quality improvement, said: “The ideal is to get all our training provider networks to achieve the standard.”

But he acknowledged that this was unlikely because TQS was “extremely tough to get through”.

Costs vary but for further education colleges assessment of TQS would set them back around £6,000. 

The standard must also be re-assessed every three years, though it is as yet unclear what further cost that will involve.

Les Scammell, BMW career programmes education manager, said: “The standard has been a powerful analytical tool, helping us to develop and refine the evidence base that underpins our quality improvement strategies.”

Lawson said TQS would significantly benefit the motor trade.
“It will really bring training up to industry expectations.

It also means that if a further education college achieves TQS, then its training is on an even par to a manufacturer like BMW.”