Nineteen year old Babcock apprentice, James Edgar, has become one of the two youngest technicians to achieve the Senior MET ATA qualification.

The achievement has been confirmed by the IMI (Institute of the Motor Industry).

James began his apprenticeship at ADR Accident Repairs Centres, Macclesfield as soon as he left school, having spent the previous six months valeting at ADR as a Saturday job.

Initially recruited as a Body Repair Apprentice, James proved to be extremely competent and successfully achieved all required welding accreditations. However, James had a preference to move into the MET (Mechanical, Electrical and Trim) section of the business. His determination to be a success was quickly evident, and he joined the appropriate learning programme.


His technical knowledge was enhanced by his attendance on 5 Foundation Technical Volkswagen Group courses, including use of diagnostic equipment. With a great deal of self-motivation, he has acquired the expected technical knowledge and proven complex practical competence to deal with most MET tasks faced by ADR staff. This has included major MET work on “Prestige” car models. The decision was taken to enrol James for Senior MET ATA with Babcock with the testing to take place in late March 2012.

James achieved the target outcome: for an apprentice to achieve the ability to perform at a fully skilled level, and to achieve Senior ATA Accreditation.

(CD)