New compliance program for repairers
Victorian industry association rolls out industry-first accreditation program for RV service and repair businessesCaravan service and repair businesses in Victoria that can demonstrate high standards will be recognized under a new accreditation program introduced by the Caravan Industry Association of Victoria.
Similar to the RVMAP compliance program for Australian RV manufacturers, the industry-first ‘Service Safe’ program will allow accredited RV repair businesses to display a ‘seal of approval’ on their shop front windows similar to those stuck on RVMAP-approved caravans and motorhomes.
Speaking at the launch of the ‘game changing’ initiative at one of Australia’s biggest RV repair shops, Hardings Swift in Kilsyth, Victoria, CIA Vic CEO Rob Lucas said Service Safe was developed in conjunction with repair businesses as well as the Caravan Industry Association of Australia and borrows from similar programs in the automotive, bus and trucking industries.
He said Service Safe would help raise industry standards and make CIA Vic service and repair members stand out from the rest.
“The program is comprehensive, it really means something to the consumer, and it will promote our members far and above everybody else in the industry that are not members of the Association,” Lucas said.
At this stage, 29 of the 50-odd CIA Vic members primarily involved in service and repairs have opted to take part in the non-compulsory accreditation program.
“But we certainly believe that over time all our members will opt in to the program,” he said.
The program will require participating members to implement business, customer service and workshop standards along with having staff appropriately trained and qualified.
Lucas said there will be provision for recognition of prior learning in regards to employees that are already qualified in a relevant trade, while some staff will be required to complete a relevant course at the new National Caravan Industry Training College.
Currently, the Service Safe program only applies to ‘stand alone’ repairers like Hardings, but Lucas expects dealers and manufacturers with service and repair facilities to also participate in the program.
Audits will be conducted every 12 months but are not expected to begin until July 2016, once participating members are “up to speed”.
Similar compliance programs are expected to be rolled out by other state industry associations in due course.
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