F&I Management & Training

The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) celebrated the achievements of automotive companies and individuals in the Skillmiles scheme at its Annual Dinner last week in the presence of the Institute's Patron, HRH Prince Michael of Kent.

In front of an audience of more than 340 industry executives who attended the prestigious annual event at The Landmark hotel in London, the awards were hosted by Sarah Sillars OBE, Executive Chair of the IMI.

The Skillmiles scheme was launched two years ago by the IMI as a pioneering way to recognise the support given to aid skills development across the automotive sector and the awards provide a meaningful way to acknowledge this support and pay tribute to those actively making a difference to the industry.

It enables the IMI, as a Professional Body and the Sector Skills Council, to demonstrate to the industry, employers and Government that many companies and individuals in our sector are making valuable contributions to raising skill levels much of which had not previously been recognised.

Six awards were presented on the night to the companies or individuals who had finished at the top of their respective categories, the winners were:

The Honda Institute - Platinum Award (Large Company)
S & B Automotive Academy - Platinum Award (Medium Company)
VBRA - Platinum Award (Small Company)
John Taylor - Platinum Award (Sole Trader)
Thatcham - Special Recognition Award
IMI Awards Limited - Outstanding Contribution Award

Speaking at the awards, Sarah Sillars said:
"Our congratulations go to all those organisations and individuals who have won awards this evening. To date there are 145 employers registered on our Skillmiles database and 118,000 Skillmiles points have been awarded this year. When we add this to the total awarded last year it's the equivalent of over £2 million worth of support from across the sector for the benefit to the industry as a whole. This is a fantastic achievement and thanks must go to all the contributors who have helped the IMI to continue to support the wider industry"