A number of changes to the LTA (Landbased Technician Accreditation) scheme have been announced by the Landbased Engineering, Training and Education Committee (LE-TEC).
The LTA scheme was launched to a gathering of manufacturers and dealers at the Heritage Motor Museum, Gaydon in December 2007. The LTA objective is to provide a common and recognisable grading of technicians to industry-approved standards, thus supporting individual career progression and benchmarking the skill sets of service staff to the benefit of manufacturers, dealers and customers.
The initial momentum generated by the LTA launch has however slowed in recent years. There are estimated to be in excess of 10,500 service staff working at dealerships in the UK across farm machinery and outdoor power equipment sectors.
Currently, around 3000 technicians are registered within the four grades of the LTA scheme which comprise Entry level, Intermediate, Advanced and Master Technician qualification with 60 technicians registered at the top grade.
An equivalent accreditation scheme, Parlour Safe, has been developed by the Milking Equipment Association and is available for dairy equipment dealers and installers.
Arguably, the biggest challenge for the LTA scheme is to ensure compatibility between the Approved (manufacturers) schemes and those independent (mostly non-franchised) dealers who wish to enrol their staff in the LTA scheme. The changes announced include:
- Fast-track applications for technicians in Approved schemes
- Technicians proving prior qualifications or experience can be fast-tracked to an appropriate level rather than work through the LTA registration sequence
- Simplification of registration fees and staged payments.
- EngTech registration now only mandatory at Master level
- External training sourced from multiple providers by independent dealers now accepted by LTA
- Retention of non-active LTA registration allowable when a technician leaves the industry for a period.
Perhaps the biggest change is that manufacturers or suppliers with an Approved LTA scheme will now pay a licence fee. The revenue raised will be ploughed back into the LTA for the promotion of career opportunities and recognition of excellence within the industry.
LE-TEC is a cross industry group representing AEA, BAGMA and IAgrE the licenced body of the Engineering Council. It has responsibility for developing industry apprenticeships, promoting career opportunities and establishing career paths for technicians and parts staff.
LTA will be promoted by AEA /BAGMA at SALTEX on 2-3 November, and by LE-TEC at the Ag Careers Live Event in Coventry on 10 November and at LAMMA next January.
