AN appeal has been launched for more blue chip companies and organisations with a training ethos to financially support the Institute of Car Fleet Management. Following the RAC's decision to 'put its money where its mouth is' and invest £50,000 over the next three years in the RAC Scholarship Award for fleet managers linked to the ICFM diploma, Institute of Car Fleet Management chairman Tom Madden has called for other companies to follow suit.

The ICFM also runs courses at introductory and certificate level and Madden said: 'I would very much like other companies to take up the challenge to provide value-added packages attached to both those levels.' His plea for partnerships with blue chip companies comes as ICFM membership is stable at almost 700 members, but fewer than half of those people have either taken or are taking courses leading to ICFM recognition at either introductory certificate, certificate or diploma level.

There are four fellows of the ICFM, 265 members, 330 associates and a number of student members, with a further 17 applications to join the organisation in the pipeline. There are 165 associate members taking the certificate level course and 63 students have taken or are taking the introductory course. At diploma level 28 people have started the course and a further five people have confirmed they will start the course this month