As A-Level students digest their results and consider their future options, the Institute of the Motor Industry has been working hard on developing a level four apprenticeship scheme which would see young people going all the way in the motoring world, from technician to manager.

The IMI is the sector skills council for the retail motor industry, the IMI partners with industry employers to identify the sector’s current and future skill needs.

Currently level three apprenticeships train candidates to a high technical competence level however management skills aren’t included.

Level four, which is currently being researched and developed by the IMI, will bridge the gap between technical and managerial needs.

In addition, the IMI will develop a framework which provides access in to a managerial career for A-level students seeking an alternative to university education.

The IMI is seeking input from employers regarding the skills they need and anyone who is interested in contributing can comment via the IMI web site www.motor.org.uk.

The Government announced the Higher Level Apprenticeship Fund on 22nd July 2011. This £25 million fund will support the drive for up to 10,000 advanced and higher apprenticeships.

The 10,000 apprentices will give firms the skills they need to grow and the IMI is actively seeking to bring in the right people to the motor industry.

The new IMI level four apprenticeship framework will be in place by 1st April 2012 and will be based on feedback from the industry’s employers.

Stirling Wood, head of skills development for the IMI, said: “For students who have completed A-levels or a level three apprenticeship and want to progress in to a first line management post in the automotive industry, then the level four apprenticeship will be ideal.

"It gives a route for A-level students, or equivalent, to come into the automotive industry as well as enabling the existing workforce to progress to management posts and the IMI believes it will help employers retain staff for longer.”