BMW Great Britain has teamed up with the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) and is offering its technicians the chance to study for a diploma in vehicle maintenance and repair.

Technicians will also be granted direct access to IMI membership with qualified BMW senior technicians being given a higher status membership.

Sarah Sillars, chief executive at the IMI, said: 'In an industry where technicians so often fail to gain the recognition and respect that they deserve, it is very good to be able to highlight just how seriously technician development and competence assessment are treated.'