IMI signs major export deal

The IMI has signed an agreement with the Indian government to provide motor industry qualifications and vocational training standards worth millions of pounds.

The memorandum of understanding with the Indian Automotive Skills Development Council (ASDC) could see thousands of training centres across the subcontinent receive accreditation from the IMI to provide British qualifications such as diplomas in electric vehicle maintenance and accident repair.

The British High Commission assisted the IMI in winning the deal. Deputy high commissioner, Bharat Joshi, and IMI’s international business development manager, Matthew Stuart, attended the ceremony in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, and witnessed the agreement on behalf of the UK government.

Steve Nash, IMI CEO said, ‘This is a very exciting development for the IMI and an endorsement of the quality of the qualifications we produce for the motor industry in the UK. The agreement could easily see a million people qualified in India to work in the motor industry at the highest international standard over the next five years. The IMI is very grateful to the High Commission for assisting us in reaching this agreement and to the ASDC of India for recognising the quality of our products.’

The Indian government is investing billions of pounds to develop the skills of its people for the benefit of its domestic economy and enable skilled people to migrate and work in other countries around the world.

K Chaturvedi CEO of ASDC said, ‘With the UK’s education system having an incredible geopolitical and economic status in a great many countries, not least in Asia, and the IMI offering internationally recognised qualifications, it’s important that we work with the IMI to set high standards that guarantee efficiency and safety.’