The Institute of Automotive Engineer Assessors (IAEA) has gained three important new members, as vehicle damage assessor (VDAs) apprentices completed the final hurdle of their two-year apprenticeship.

Jamie Brown (23) from Ageas, Adrian Ellingfor (36) from QBE and Daniel Barrett (23) from Thatcham Research, become the first group to complete the demanding programme, which is run by Thatcham in association with the IAEA.

The Thatcham IAEA Assessor Apprentice programme came about as a result of unprecedented demand from the industry for an apprentice programme, which whilst addressing concerns over a developing skill and age gap also offers a unique opportunity for a new generation of VDAs. 

The first 15 months of the learning is run along a mechanical, electrical and trim (MET) route, before the completion of three further two-week learning blocks, which focus solely on vehicle damage assessment.

This includes the legal aspects of salvage categorisation, as well as further theoretical knowledge on panel and paint and culminates with passing the IAEA’s practical examination including the detailed practical assessment of two vehicles, completing an audit of an image supported assessment and finishing with the IAEA’s oral examination in front of two institute board members.

Upon successful completion, candidates gain both an IAEA qualification, equivalent to Level 4 as well as a full NVQ Level 2 apprenticeship in MET.

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