Industry licensing debate gets reignited but who’s listening?

Almost 80 per cent of GW readers support calls for regulation but others fear costs and question policing

Industry licensing debate gets reignited but who’s listening?
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A petition which called for the introduction of a licence to practice as vehicle mechanic prompted much debate in the GW forum in recent weeks and while 78 per cent agreed with some form of government regulation others fear additional costs and policing problems.

Those in support of industry licencing argue it would see raise standards across the board, deter rogue mechanics and prevent dangerous workshop practices – particularly when it comes to working on electric vehicles.

Commenting on GW, Michael Ball wrote: “The licensing and registration of fully qualified motor vehicle technicians, making it an offence to work on motor vehicles if not so registered, should have been brought into effect many, many years ago.

“Now it is becoming a matter of urgency.

“Must we wait for people to die in the execution of their work because of their own ignorance?”

Michael and a number of other forum users went on to suggest that industry calls are going unheard.

He added: “Unfortunately, the sad fact of the matter is, that it is probably going to take to take the death of a mechanic/technician or two that doesn’t get suppressed by the government and becomes widely publicised, before any positive action is taken by the powers that be.

“The general motoring public have absolutely no idea at all of the technical complexity built into the vehicle that they expect to work faultlessly day after day, year after year, and be serviced by people they assume to have the correct skills and knowledge.”

Related: Why blanket industry licensing isn’t the answer, says Graham Stoakes 

Similarly, George described regulation as a “win-win” for both technicians and garage customers.

He said: “We all owe it to the motorist to provide a service by a qualified technician who will diagnose and repair each job correctly.

“If garages that cannot or will not meet the correct standards then they will have step aside.”

Franco Di Lustro, who opened his garage in 2014 and is a member of the Independent Garage Association and is AA Approved, said he fears for his industry if it continues to go unregulated by government.

He said: “I opened my business six years ago now and have done everything by the book.

“The AA take a very close look and even check for jack calibration certification.

“I pay a price for this and it has to be reflected in our labour charges.

“Joe blogs down the road or even a kerb-side mechanic can undercut all of us who invested large sums of money on training equipment.

“It’s a big like the corner shop use it or lose it.

“Unless some form of licensing comes in I fear for my industry and where it’s heading.”

Opinion: We need a single united campaign to improve industry reputation

Verifying what he believes needs to be the basis of regulation, George commented: “We should emphasise the fact that what we really mean is that technicians working on cars should have up to date training and qualifications so they are then capable of doing the job.

“Right now the master tech training and exam falls short in the complex modern vehicle.

“That is why we see some master technicians struggle.

“Up-to-date training and qualifications is what needs to be within this licensing.”

Not everyone agrees though.

John said: “Licensing has shown it achieves very little.

“Look at the government instigated ‘Part P’ legislation for electricians, things still go wrong.

“Some of the best mechanics I have known had no formal training or qualification.

“I have met PhDs who don’t know the safe end of a screwdriver.

“Where does that leave you?”

Not everyone agrees

A recent GW reader poll showed that 17 per cent do not support calls for industry licensing.

David said: “A license system will change nothing at all.

“The only option that might work is if government enforced a quality-checking procedure on each business from management, to service reception, to the technicians repairing the vehicles – using fines and penalty points with the real threat of losing your job.”

Some claim current optional regulatory schemes mean the better-quality garages can stand out above the rest and as such attract better customers who are willing to pay for quality parts and regular maintenance.

Philip Dunmore, who explained that he’s not “not sure” he’d welcome blanket licensing, said: “Our current business model means we get better quality customers, legislation could force poor quality customers our way.

“Fixing the MOT fee may help, maybe?”

The latest petition, which was created by Mohammad Shafiqul Haque and will close on February 16, 2019, has attracted around 800 signatures.

It follows multiple other petitions but none have yet achieved the 10,000 signatures required for an official government response.

Join the debate and share your opinions below.

Home Page Forums Industry licensing debate gets reignited but who's listening?

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  • #170498 Reply

    A petition which called for the introduction of a licence to practice as vehicle mechanic prompted much debate in the GW forum in recent weeks and while 78 per cent agreed with some form of government regulation others fear additional costs and policing problems.

    [See the full post at: Industry licensing debate gets reignited but who’s listening?]

    #171199 Reply
    Dougal
    Guest

    Sudden imposition of an arbitrary standard will naturally meet resistance.

    Step 1. Publish proposed requirements for a licence including an online test for those who have been in the trade for many years. ( more technicians would support it if they could see that they would not be barred by it )

    Step 2. Convince insurance companies that those garages who meet the standard should enjoy lower premiums.
    ( more skill = lower claim levels )

    Step 3. Increase standards slowly.

    #171200 Reply
    Cliff Johnson
    Guest

    Licensing technicians is imperative with all the high technology vehicle systems now being used on motor vehicles. It is the untrained who call themselves mechanics and technicians who usually work for cash only carrying out shoddy work that has given our industry such an awful reputation. Anybody can work on a 50 seat
    coach or 40 tonne truck with all the associated risk to the passengers and other road users. Whereas a helicopter or plane can only fly with an airworthiness certificate and can only be worked on the licenced
    technicians with the qualifications and experience of the particular aircraft.
    Surely its a no brainer to have qualified technicians and charge the appropriate hourly rate that will pay the salaries and cover the costs of expensive diagnostic equipment, plus making the appropriate PROFIT that we all need all need to run our business’s. Cliff Johnson LLb (hons) Loughborough Kia

    #171209 Reply
    jim walker
    Guest

    Mmmmmmm not sure it will work, after all, if we look at Belgium and Germany where I have friends who are vehicle technicians, they are paid a very good salary and are generally regarded on a par with solicitors and professionals generally. In the uk people think some blond bimbo with big lips and boobies who talks with an essex accent is some how far superior to a mechanic who in most peoples eyes is the lowest of the low and the word ENGINEER is swearing, enough said !

    #171210 Reply
    kevan shackleton
    Guest

    Our industry does need some form of regulation. I’ve been in the motor industry for just under 50 years and licencing was being talked about back then and it’s not happened yet. I don’t think some garages will support it because they employ unskilled “technicians” and pay them peanuts so will be afraid of losing them. That said, there are some very good mechanics out there with no qualifications so how regulation will work is something of a mystery, but it does need to happen to get rid of the “kerbside” bodgers!

    #171393 Reply
    David
    Guest

    I think any good DIYer would want to up skill in my opinion. We have an apprentice that works at our garage and said last year that he was going to college this year whether the boss liked it or not, so any DIYer not really wanting to up skill will soon be left behind. I’m not however convinced that a solicitor and an engineer can be compared like for like, not sure how that works!

Viewing 6 posts - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)

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