A consortium of motor trade associations, retailers, and manufacturers have announced that it is vital that they establish a Sector Skills Council for the motor industry themselves.

The consortium, led by the Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMI), is calling on Government to recognise the need for the motor industry to let the sector organise its own training. The Sector Skills Council will be one of several such bodies, intended to replace the National Training Organisations (NTOs) which folded in March 2002.

If established, the motor trade's Sector Skills Council would be headed by Sir Peter Vardy, chairman of Reg Vardy PLC, and a member of the RMI's national franchised strategy group.

Fred Maguire, RMI president said: 'The motor industry has an annual turnover of £175 billion, and such a substantial sector deserves a strong voice. It is also contains the UK's largest retail sector, employing 600,000 people across 70,000 companies. Annually the industry raises £30 billion in tax revenue, a significant sum. The RMI, through its consortium, urges Government to recognise its strong intent to have its own recognised skills council.'