MSA & OCNW lead the way for a qualified team of volunteers in Motorsports

An historic agreement has been reached between the Motor Sports Association (MSA) and the Open College of the North West (OCNW) which will offer the thousands of volunteers involved in the sport the opportunity to achieve nationally-recognised qualifications over the next few years.



The MSA is the governing body of motor sport in United Kingdom, responsible for the administration and development of the sport, as well as the co-ordination of some 13,000 volunteer officials throughout the country.

OCNW is a leading National Awarding Body, approved by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, which offers a wide portfolio of qualifications to colleges, training organisations and schools throughout the UK.

MSA and OCNW have already worked together to design a Level 2 Certificate in Motorsports Incident Marshalling and the first group of students will achieve their qualifications by Easter.

Two more qualifications – a Level 3 Certificate for Motorsports Incident Officers and Level 2 Certificate for Motorsports Time Keepers – will be available very soon. Plans are already being drawn up for further additions to the portfolio, including full time programmes for young people aiming to develop careers in the motorsports professions.

OCNW Chief Executive Phil Wilkinson says “This collaboration with the MSA will eventually establish a comprehensive framework of optional qualifications for everyone who is involved in motorsports.”

Colin Hilton, MSA Chief Executive, says: "The Motor Sports Association`s army of volunteer marshals and officials is critical to the future development of the sport and the MSA is committed to increasing their number through a combination of recruitment and retention programmes. Introducing the option of nationally-recognised qualifications will provide additional benefit for those already involved and will also encourage students to expand their studies to incorporate volunteer motorsports activities as part of their course."

Picture shows Colin Hilton (left) and Phil Wilkinson during the formal signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between MSA and OCNW which took place today (Friday 13 January) at the Autosport International 2006 show at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham.
 

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