ICFM fleet qualifications to be ‘stamp of approval’

The Institute of Car Fleet Management (ICFM) wants its qualifications to become “the de facto stamp of approval” for fleet management and has set itself a membership target of 1,000.

Delegates at the institute’s Fleet 2020 conference recently heard that membership has grown 5% to more than 750 in the past 12 months and that for the first year, more women than men have come through ICFM courses – 51% of students in 2015 were female, up 7% on 2014.

ICFM chairman Paul Hollick said: “The numbers are growing; we are being talked about and referred to as thought leaders within our industry.

“From assistant fleet managers to fleet directors running the mega-fleets, they are skilled, at the top of their game and driving our industry forward.

“We want ICFM qualifications to become the qualifications required to be a fleet decision-maker. These qualifications will be the de facto stamp of approval that you can do the job and we want to make fleet management a fully recognised vocation.”

He said employers would look for these professional qualifications when employing a new fleet manager, just as they would for an accountant, an architect or a lawyer.

The ICFM also said it wants to build on its work with other industry organisations, such as fleet representative body ACFO, the Freight Transport Association (FTA) and the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA).

Hollick told delegates that the organisation would work hard to ensure its training remained relevant, as well as developing further subject areas that would ensure members stay abreast of new topics and initiatives within fleet and mobility.

Hollick also vowed to make the ICFM more accessible to new members and to those in support service roles to the fleet industry.

More than 30 students were recognised at the conference (see panel), which was held at the Williams Conference Centre, in Grove, Oxfordshire.

Looking to 2016, Hollick said: “We wish to continue to further improve ties with other industry bodies; we are  redesigning the ICFM website and will improve member communication interfaces.

“We will also continue to develop more continuing  professional development (CPD) topics and freshen up our training, work with fleet industry suppliers to help support their education programmes and, importantly, launch a corporate membership programme.

“Above all, we will continue to improve our reputation within the industry. We must be relevant and continue to raise industry standards.”

Established in 1992, the ICFM offers a range of vocational qualifications including an introductory certificate, certificate and diploma in car fleet management.