ARM supports Vehicle Body Repair Apprentice Programme
The Vehicle Body Repair Apprentice Programme at DIT Beresford Street, Dublin has received a donation of a number of crashed vehicles from Accident Repair Management (ARM) to allow apprentices develop their practical skills in relation to structural repairs and panel replacement.
ARM in association with Aviva Motor Services has agreed to support the programme by donating damaged vehicles annually to allow the apprentices develop their practical skills in relation to structural repairs and panel replacement.
These skills are essential to ensure the students receive the highest standard of training on new repair techniques.
The initiative is also supported by Toyota Ireland, Ford Ireland, Volkswagen Group Ireland and Opel Ireland who have pledged to donate new parts for panel replacement training.
Shane Stapleton speaking at the launch of the initiative said: “ARM is delighted to have the opportunity to play a very small part by supporting this programme and are very grateful for the work DIT is doing to deliver these badly needed highly skilled technicians of the future.”
Rosin Murray of DIT thanked ARM and the motor manufacturers for their donation of vehicles and panels and said the initiative would mean that apprentices would get to work on up to date modern vehicles.
The Vehicle Body Repair Apprentice Programme has been offered in DIT since 1981. The course started with a basic level of equipment in line with industry standards at the time. With continuous investment over the years, the course has developed to support the collision repair industry, educating and training apprentices to meet the ever-changing technical demands of repairing modern motor vehicles.
DIT in co-operation with SOLAS and industry partners are again in the process of making a significant investment in apprentice courses and workshop facilities in DIT Bolton Street.
The syllabus of the Vehicle Body Repair programme has been revised to reflect the technical changes in repairing modern vehicles. This involves updating the Vehicle Body Repair workshop with the latest technologies and equipment, to ensure that Vehicle Body Repair apprentices and technicians will have the skills necessary to competently repair modern damaged vehicles.
DIT is the only provider for VBR apprenticeships at phase 4 and 6 and therefore all VBR apprentices must attend DIT .