Two new IMI Awards qualifications have recently been introduced, targeted at the body repair sector. 

The level 2 and level 3 Multi-skilled Vehicle Collision Repair Qualifications cover paint, panel and MET (mechanical electrical trim) disciplines, and were developed in conjunction with Fix-Auto, a national body repair chain, with funding received from the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS), Employer Ownership of Skills (EOS) investment fund.

The qualifications are also available as part of a Multi-Skilled Collision Repair Apprenticeship (England only), proposed by Barking and Dagenham College. Full details on this specific apprenticeship can be found in the Multi-skilled Vehicle Collision Repair (England) framework document.

The first two IMI Awards approved centres to deliver the qualification are Barking & Dagenham College and S&B Automotive Academy, both as part of their apprenticeship training programme, which incorporates the qualifications required for the SASE compliant Apprenticeship and also includes additional ATA assessments into their branded AutoRaise programme. As a new qualification, Multi-Skilled Vehicle Collision Repair is available to IMI Awards approved centres. 

The qualifications provide students and apprentices with skills in mechanical, electrical & trim (MET), body repair and body paint. The primary aim of the qualifications is said to help 'businesses grow and prosper' as well as increasing the number of staff qualified to 'Technician' and 'Senior Technician' level.