Inside Northgate's IMI-Accredited Workshops

 

The commercial vehicle industry is evolving at pace, driven by the rapid shift to electric vehicles and the introduction of advanced technologies. For businesses running modern fleets, this creates a new challenge: Finding trusted technicians and workshop staff with the skills to maintain, repair, and advise with confidence.

 

At Northgate, we’re meeting this challenge head-on through our IMI-accredited Technical Training Academy. Offering industry-recognised accreditations, qualifications, and Continuous Professional Development (CPD), the academy ensures our people have the expertise to keep fleets moving.

 

What does having IMI accreditation mean?

IMI-accredited training centres are facilities recognised by the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) for meeting high standards of training and technical excellence.

 

Northgate operates two IMI-accredited centres, in Darlington and Milton Keynes, giving our teams access to best-in-class training aligned with industry benchmarks. This commitment strengthens our nationwide network of 52 purpose-built workshops, each equipped with advanced tools and diagnostics designed to manage high volumes of vehicles efficiently and keep downtime to a minimum.

At the heart of this operation are our highly skilled technicians, trained and certified to service everything from small cars and vans to specialist fleet vehicles, including EVs and micromobility vehicles.

 

Building the next generation of UK technicians

Northgate has a strong apprentice pipeline, year on year and is proud to support the IMI in developing the next generation of vehicle technicians and industry professionals. By investing in skills and training, we’re not only strengthening Northgate within the automotive sector but also closing the skills gap within the UK’s automotive industry and preparing the workforce for the future.

IMI accreditation acts as an independent seal of approval, confirming that a technician has the required knowledge, skills, and practical abilities to carry out repairs and servicing to a high standard.

Our IMI-accredited training centres platforms these perks by allowing for immediate training implementation along with the competency and compliance of our technicians.

Supporting the UK’s EV transition

 

The rapid growth of electric and hybrid vehicles is transforming fleet management. Our workshops are fully equipped with EV-specific tools and diagnostics, and only technicians trained in high-voltage systems and specialist maintenance carry out this work ensuring repairs are safe and to manufacturer standards.

As EV adoption accelerates, technicians must master new areas such as battery safety, complex electronics, and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). Through IMI-accredited training, Northgate ensures its teams remain fully prepared to meet these demands and help customers transition smoothly.

We also extend this expertise to customers through tailored training support, covering safety protocols, usability guidance, and best practices for maintaining electric fleets.

Specialist capabilities in-house

Fleet operators often rely on a wide variety of vehicles. Having workshops capable of handling diverse requirements allows Northgate to act as a single, trusted partner for servicing and repairs. This reduces downtime, simplifies planning, and increases operational efficiency.

Beyond standard ICE and EV maintenance, our technicians are trained to deliver services such as tail lift servicing and windscreen repair in-house. By reducing the need for third-party providers, we keep fleets on the road for longer and deliver faster turnaround times for our customers.