A LEADING management body is calling on the Government to introduce industry-wide qualifications for managers.

Research has shown that only 20% of managers have a management qualification and the Chartered Management Institute wants this figure to hit 50% by 2020. Fleet managers are included and the institute says the motor industry needs to take care of employees.

A spokesman for the institute said: ‘In fleet management, staff are seen as a business necessity. Fleet managers need to be looked after and developed.’

There are a limited number of fleet-specific qualifications although the Institute of Car Fleet Management (ICFM) offers several diplomas.

Steve Hook, training management at the ICFM, said: ‘The job market is getting tougher if you are unqualified. There is a greater demand for managers to acquire skills and it is becoming more competitive from an employment security point of view. HR departments are now more demanding in terms of qualifications.’