§ Mr. BellinghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what research her Department has conducted into the effect on the motor industry of the number of unqualified mechanics operating within it; and what plans she has to take steps to improve the situation. [133409]
§ Mr. SutcliffeIn 2002 the Department carried out a mystery shopping exercise into the car servicing and repair sector following a study of the sector carried out by the OFT in 2000. Both studies showed high consumer detriment and shortfalls in delivering acceptable levels of customer service.
178WA number of DTI-led and joint DTI/DfES skills related initiatives are underway to reduce skills gaps and shortages for the automotive industry as a whole. Sector Skills Councils are being set up to achieve four key goals: reducing skills gaps and shortages; improving productivity, business and public service performance; increasing opportunities to boost the skills and productivity of everyone in the sector's workforce; and improving learning supply, including apprenticeships, HE and national occupational standards. For the automotive industry, SEMTA (for the science, engineering and manufacturing technologies sectors including automotive) and Automotive Skills Ltd. for the automotive retail, servicing and repair sectors will be looking to achieve these goals.
One of the first tasks of these new bodies will be to undertake a detailed skills audit, which will bring into focus the issue of qualified mechanics within the industry. Linked with SEMTA will be the recently launched Automotive Academy, which will provide a comprehensive range of support to enhance process improvement activities in the automotive manufacturing sector. DTI has committed £15 million over 5 years to support the establishment of the Academy which will kitemark existing courses where these meet the needs of industry and will commission new material where necessary to fill gaps in provision.
In addition to these initiatives the DTI and industry has developed a new Motor Code for which the main retail trade associations in the UK are seeking Office of Fair Trading approval. This focuses on customer service and provides an opportunity for the industry to show collective responsibility for enhancing its reputation with its customers.