Autotech Group has been named the IMI Partner of The Year, for its commitment to driving skills development across the automotive industry while supporting the work of the IMI.
Winning the IMI Partner of The Year Award is said to highlight Autotech Group’s shared commitment with the IMI to fostering skills development and industry progression.
Since 2010, Autotech Group has been addressing the automotive aftermarket’s skills shortage and supporting industry growth in collaboration with the IMI. Through its brands—Autotech Recruit, Autotech Training, Autotech Academy, and Autotech Connect—the company has championed the IMI’s mission to bridge the skills gap and support a new generation of talent.
This award recognises Autotech Training’s efforts to deliver both technical and non-technical IMI-accredited training, creating upskilling programmes, fostering international collaborations and promoting lifelong learning through CPD. The company’s approach is said to ensure not only businesses and industry professionals stay ahead of technological advancements but also its own contractor network is continually upskilled.
Another key contributor to this achievement is Autotech Academy. It hasprovided paid internships for newly qualified technicians and partnered with over 120 IMI centres to drive awareness of automotive careers, achieving a 95% job placement rate.
Autotech Connect has also integrated Assisted Reality (AR) headsets for remote observation within the IMI Endpoint Assessment Team, reportedly improving operational efficiency, reduced unnecessary travel, and enhanced customer experiences. Additionally, in alignment with the IMI’s campaign to support neurodiversity, the headset’s voice-to-text capability has been recognised as a tool for those facing reading and writing challenges, fostering greater inclusivity in the workplace.
The IMI Judging Panel commented: “Autotech Group’s dedication to bridging the automotive industry’s skills gap in partnership with the IMI, through sponsorship, board participation, and upholding IMI standards, made them the clear choice for Partner of the Year. Their commitment to delivering both technical and non-technical training, developing bespoke programmes, and championing lifelong learning demonstrates their unwavering support for industry excellence and professional development.”
Simon King, CEO of Autotech Group, added: “I’m incredibly proud that Autotech Group has been named the IMI’s Partner of the Year. It is a testament to our team’s hard work and our commitment with the IMI to driving excellence across the industry. Our mission has always been to address the automotive industry’s skills shortage, support professional development, and champion the IMI’s vital work in shaping the future of the sector.
“Each of our four brands play a crucial role in strengthening this partnership and, as a Group, we are deeply involved in the IMI’s key initiatives, from TechSafe™ to advisory board contributions, under the shared aim of strengthening the automotive workforce. This award is not just a recognition of past successes but a motivation to push the boundaries of excellence even further.”
