The IMI's Policy Watch - January 2023
The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI)
The professional body for people working in automotive since 1920.
MOT Consultation dominates sector conversations, but there is much more to discuss
“The stated goal of the Consultation is to ensure MOTs remain fit for the future, however, the future of apprenticeships must not lose focus as a priority area”.
H.Pells
Regulation and Reform
Jeremy Hunt plans talks with the education secretary on over 50s in apprenticeships.
‘Shorter type’ of apprenticeship for over-50s eyed by the chancellor in economic growth plans. Speaking at Bloomberg this morning, the chancellor said that education would be one of the four pillars of his economic growth plans, admitting that “we don’t do nearly as well for the 50 per cent of school leavers who do not go to university as we do for those that do”.
Hunt also said that there were around nine million adults with low basic literacy or maths skills and more than 100,000 school leavers each year who had not reached the required standards in maths or English, which made it difficult for those people when they may need to train for several different occupations over the course of their lives.
He continued that the government had “made progress with T Levels, boot camps and apprenticeships” as part of its reforms, explaining that “we want to ensure our young people have the skills they would get in Switzerland or Singapore”.
The chancellor said that encouraging older workers back into the workforce or helping them to retrain is one of the issues to help growth, issuing a rallying call to the more than five million working-age adults who are economically inactive that “Britain needs you”.
This could have a potential opportunity for many working within the automotive sector that is currently unqualified, offering career progression and much-needed development for the skills needed in this fast-paced technology landscape.?
MOT Consultation
The question of MOT testing frequency is a well-publicised part of the consultation, an important issue that has dominated the conversation about testing for some time. What is essential to ensure that focusing on cost-saving does not put road users at heightened risk.
The IMI is engaging with industry stakeholders and membership in addition to forming a detailed response to this consultation.
The Road Vehicles (Authorised Weight) (Amendment) Regulations 2023
An update on regulations to increase the weight limits for certain zero-emission or alternatively fuelled vehicles. This is to allow for the additional weight required by these vehicles owing to the additional weight required for systems different to traditional ICE vehicles.
Electric vehicle smart charging action plan
Published on 18th January 2023, the government lays out the steps they and Ofgem will take to deliver energy flexibility from electric vehicle charging, providing affordable, green power.
Westminster Engagement
All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs)
The APPGs are informal cross-party groups that have no official status within Parliament. They are run by and for Members of the Commons and Lords, though many choose to involve individuals and organisations from outside Parliament in their administration and activities. They have been regularly meeting this week and next to discuss apprenticeships and T-Levels. The IMI has attended to engage directly with parliamentarians and answer any questions they have about our industry’s needs.
Industry and Parliamentary Trust (IPT)
The IMI is delighted to further engage with the IPT, an educational charity formed to be an independent, non-lobbying, non-partisan organisation that provides a trusted platform of engagement between Parliament and UK businesses. Contributing to the debates and conversations between Parliament and industry will enrich the understanding of the sector's skills needs.
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Education
Sector Subject Area Classification (SSAC) system review - Call for Evidence
Closing on 3rd February, the Department for Education is seeking views on the SSAC system, how it works, and views on the current Sector Subject Areas being used within it. The IMI’s Regulation Manager has submitted a response.
OFQUAL
Ofqual are on the hunt for Subject Matter Experts, they are very happy for anyone from AOs to apply, they need to note that potential conflict of interest. I wondered if anyone on your respective teams might be interested. Happy to provide further info from the meeting today with them if you have any questions. I thought it might be good for the pool of assessors working with Barry et al?
The types of expertise Ofqual require are:
Assessment experience
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ESFA- funded priority subjects receive uplifts
Skills minister Robert Halfon said: “We are simplifying the way we fund skills training for adults so that more people can climb the ladder of opportunity into well-paid jobs, and we can better meet the skills needs of employers and the economy.
New rates apply to ESFA grant-funded and procured provisions, but mayors in devolved areas will set their own rates. This is to allow greater flexibility in addressing the local needs.
Under the new skills fund, courses will be organised along five new hourly bands ranging from ￡6 to ￡12 by their Sector Subject Area (SSA).
This replaces the current “single activity matrix” which organises funding along fifteen possible funding bands.?
The SSA, Transportation Operations and Maintenance, is listed as a High Skills Funding Band.
The announcements aren’t all good news for providers delivering functional skills in English and maths courses, which have been confirmed today to continue to be funded at their current rates, despite government news releases about these priority areas.
Business
Energy discount
From April 23 all eligible UK non-domestic energy users will receive a discount on high energy bills; this will last until March 2024. Full details can be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/enbergy-bills-discount-scheme
Open consultation – holiday entitlement for part-year and irregular hours.
Published 12th January 2023 and closes 9th March 2023, views are sought on proposals to pro-rata holiday entitlement for part-year and irregular hours workers based on the annual hours they work.
In the consultation, we propose to introduce a holiday entitlement reference period for part-year and irregular-hours workers to ensure that their holiday pay and entitlement are directly proportionate to the time they spend working.
Written by Hayley Pells, Policy Manager, The IMI - January 2023