The IMI's Policy Watch - July 2023

“It is unquestionably the case that upskilling our workforce is the most important thing”

Guy Opperman MP, Minister for Employment

Westminster

Industry and Parliament Trust Artificial Intelligence – The IMI had the privilege of attending a significant roundtable discussion organised by the Industry and Parliament Trust (IPT) at Westminster. The discussion focused on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) across various sectors. Notably, the event featured the presence of esteemed ministers, providing valuable insights on the topic and future legislation could be shaped.

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During the roundtable, the IMI actively contributed to the conversation, shedding light on the potential implications of AI implementation within the automotive industry. Our participation highlighted the IMI's commitment to staying abreast of technological advancements and advocating for the interests of our members.

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All Party Parliamentary Group for Skills, Careers & Employment – This House of Lords session chaired by ?Baroness Garden of Frognal focused on lifelong careers advice, specifically addressing the implementation of the Gatsby recommendations. This session provided a platform for stakeholders to discuss the future of careers guidance and what that could look like post a general election. The IMI is committed to ensure that the significance of aligning industry needs with educational pathways are highlighted and the potential positive impact of incorporating the Gatsby recommendations into post-election strategies.

House of Commons Debate The IMI was specially mentioned by Siobhan Baillie MP during a debate in the House of Commons regarding increasing employment through training. It can be found shortly after column 325, Increasing Employment: Training Volume 736: debated on Tuesday 11 July 2023 [Increasing Employment: Training - Hansard - UK Parliament] This acknowledgement of the critical work of the IMI regarding employability at the highest level of debate has created further opportunity for high level engagement about the sector’s future. The Minister for Employment, Guy Opperman MP, responded positively stating it is unquestionably the case that upskilling our workforce is the most important thing, his will for driving forward real change in the attitude of employers and co-workers to older workers, and his promise to refine the support to more closely align employment and skills.

Departmental

Department for Transport

DVSA Engagement with MOT Policy regarding quadricycles, the IMI consulted on the existing legislation and how it will apply into class 4 testing, updates are expected to the MOT inspection manual in due course.

Heavy Vehicle Testing Consultation – Call for evidence submitted, further information is expected in due course.

MOT Consultation – The highly anticipated MOT reform consultation, where the IMI was set to provide valuable insights alongside industry experts, was unfortunately cancelled. We are currently awaiting updates from the Department for Transport regarding the rescheduling of this crucial event, which will play a significant role in shaping reforms within the automotive industry. Rest assured, the IMI remains committed to representing its members' interests and influencing important changes. Stay tuned for further updates on the rescheduled consultation, where the IMI will once again be joined by Alex Lindley of Garage Industry Trends.

Department for Education?

Funding Increase Robert Halfon MP announced an increase in the funding band from ￡15,000 to ￡20,000 for Heavy Vehicle Technicians.

New Chair position The IMI’s Policy and Public Affairs Lead, Hayley Pells, has been elected Chair of the Intermediary Ambassador Network for the DfE. This opportunity is valuable for contributing to national skills plans, shaping new programs, participating in conferences, and promoting technical education through employer networks and events.

IfATE We are pleased to share important updates from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) that aim to alleviate unnecessary burdens for employers and ensure apprenticeships meet evolving industry needs:

According to IfATE, they are implementing several measures to simplify the process of hiring apprentices:

• IfATE is streamlining the onboarding journey for small businesses, reducing the number of steps required to register an account on the Apprenticeships Service from 9 to 6. This streamlined process, launching on 17 July, allows businesses to focus on recruiting and training their apprentices efficiently.
• IfATE is allowing 'expert' providers to handle more administrative tasks on behalf of employers. Providers will have the opportunity to utilize their 'expert' status as a marketing tool and a mark of excellence. IfATE plans to pilot this approach starting in autumn 2023 and gradually roll it out more widely from August 2024.
• IfATE is reducing the amount of evidence employers need to collect to prove eligibility, leveraging their data sharing agreement with HMRC. This reduction in evidence requirements, such as proof of legal employment for apprentices, will be implemented from August 2024.
• IfATE is enabling small employers to start their apprentices immediately upon registration for funding, or even backdate by one month, eliminating paperwork delays. Currently, employers have to wait for all paperwork to be completed, which can hinder the apprentice's training. This change will be effective from September 2023.

To ensure apprenticeships remain aligned with employers' needs in a rapidly changing world:

• IfATE will review the content of 100 of the most-utilized standards to ensure they reflect technological advancements and up-to-date technical skills. These reviews will be completed by the end of December 2023.

To enhance the accessibility of skills opportunities for learners and employers:

• IfATE plans to launch a new 'single digital starting point' for the skills system in autumn 2023. This platform will consolidate all available skills offers in one place, making it easier for individuals to search, compare, and find suitable learning or apprenticeship opportunities.
• UCAS will pilot a service from November 2023 to match talent with employer vacancies. Young people in the pilot areas will receive enhanced support for apprenticeship applications starting from February 2024. These initiatives complement the previous plans for UCAS to display apprenticeship opportunities to students from autumn 2023 and enable apprenticeship applications via UCAS from autumn 2024.
• IfATE intends to promote apprenticeships and skills offers in Jobcentre Plus, equipping work coaches with the necessary knowledge and information to refer customers to local apprenticeship and training opportunities. This will be achieved through a combination of events, communication, and updated guidance.

We thank IfATE for providing these updates, and we are committed to sharing their initiatives with our stakeholders. We will continue to keep you informed as these developments progress.

Business

AXA Expert Roundtable – The IMI attended a productive Electric Vehicles Roundtable hosted by AXA UK, a prominent motor insurer, at their London head office. The event brought together industry experts to discuss the challenges surrounding the Government's 2030/35 targets in transitioning towards a net-zero economy. The IMI actively participated in the discussions, providing valuable insights on grid infrastructure, affordability, skills development, and the significance of gigafactories. The roundtable highlighted the encouraging cross-industry collaboration aimed at establishing a comprehensive long-term plan to support the widespread adoption of electric vehicles, encourage business investment, and enhance consumer confidence.

Education

Exeter College The IMI had the honour of attending the graduation event at their new Electric Vehicle (EV) workshop facility at Exeter College. This cutting-edge facility marks a significant milestone in advancing automotive education and skills development.

Additionally, the IMI had the opportunity to deliver an informative lecture on the crucial topic of cyber security. The lecture focused on raising awareness about the emerging digital threats, particularly the intersection of Operational Technology and Information Technology, and the importance of safeguarding electric vehicles and equipment.

ADDENDUM

Micro mobility solutions The Institute of the Motor Industry recognises the urgent need for comprehensive regulation of e-bike and e-scooter batteries, given the increasing incidents of fires linked to these products. Presently, these batteries don't require third-party approval, allowing manufacturers to self-declare that they meet safety standards, potentially creating room for compromised safety. It is alarming that the London Fire Brigade reports an e-bike battery-related fire nearly every two days. The severity of these fires has been likened to those caused by fireworks, heavy machinery, or medical devices, highlighting the urgent need for action. The devastating loss of lives and property due to these fires underlines the imperative of moving towards stringent third-party regulation, as exemplified by New York City's legislation requiring e-bikes and their batteries to meet standards set by an expert third party. This will ensure that all batteries on the market are up to par, protecting users and reducing the risk of these fires. It is crucial that we support and implement these standards to safeguard consumers and preserve the reputation of responsible manufacturers of micro mobility transport solutions.?