Overview

The year 2022 filled with both positive and negative challenges for all South African businesses including VDQGBSA. The remnants of COVID 19 still looming as we remember factories and businesses closing to contain the pandemic and the effects this had on the South African economy. A sigh of relief at the recent announcement in May 2023 from the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring an end to COVID-19 as a public health emergency. Then another blow to our economy as the Russia-Ukraine war disrupts our recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The war brings with it higher food and fuel prices, lower revenue from tourism and possibly more complications accessing international markets and parts. The good shines through as well with SA’s first black female Plant Launch Engineer at the body shop of Fords Silverton assembly plant in Pretoria. This along with the announcement that car owners can now renew their vehicles licenses via Pick ‘n Pays new online system. However, we also had some fun with Argentina winning the epic world cup and who can forget that Will Smith slapped the Shhh out of Chris Rock at the 94^th Oscars in Hollywood. Back on South African soil we continue to see climate change added its flair with floods, rain and hail resulting in significant damage to an already battered economy and our president calling the floods a catastrophe of enormous proportion and declaring a national state of disaster. Picking up the pieces in a race of rebuilding our beautiful South Africa starts with each one of us. With access to areas significantly restricted digital assessments is the new norm to quantify damage. The VDQGBSA board faced some tough challenges all-round given the sensitivity of the economy and had to persevere to ensure the continued success of our industry professional body. With confident well-informed decisions and solid strategic objectives, the board endeavored to gain the full support from you our entire industry being MBR, Insurer and Independent assessors.   

Industry

The industry had to deal with many challenges including global supply chain disruption of parts due to the war in Ukraine, persistent loadshedding hampering businesses productivity, interest rate increases adding significant pressure on consumers, fuel increases and an overall downward trend in unemployment and growth. Digital assessing techniques accompanied with artificial intelligence via algorithms continue to assert its pressure as a new norm of doing business via a dynamic digital economy. Digital technology and automation are the order of the day with autonomous vehicles, automated claims processes and image recognition software storming our industry at high speed.

Enhancements to our CPD platform will ensure that you have access to the all the latest technology and advancements that is covered in our continuous development programs. Although CPD remains the responsibility of the member, VDQGBSA provides the platform for you to access and gain CPD points to maintain your CPD compliance. We also circulated directives to all members on how to register and claim your CPD points.

The only consistent is change and our industry sees these changes each day and our adaptability to keep up to date with the ever-changing technology becomes a crucial part of our success. Continuous technical training within each sector remains crucial for both MBR’s and Insurers alike this coupled with specific insurance related training on what the t’s and c’s are regarding insurable items.

Looking back to when VDQGBSA was initially created it remained pivotal to reflect on the “WHO” and “WHY” VDQ was initially created.

WHO created VDQ?

VDQ was born from an industry initiative created from a collaboration between MBR’s, Insurers and Independent assessors. Thus, the industry created VDQ!

WHY was VDQ created?

YOU the industry MBR’s, Insurers and Independent assessors saw a need for a vehicle damage qualification.  The need to create one unique platform for standards across the motor quantification industry. It would thus be safe to say that VDQ is fully and wholly dependent on the ENTIRE MBR, Insurer and independent assessor industry to guarantee its success and future sustainability. It is only through active membership that this goal can effectively be reached and continue. The full support of each industry role-player will see the expansion of VDQ, and the possibility of reduced membership fees thus becomes more of a reality. The ability of VDQGBSA to prevent barriers to entry and to ensure the upliftment of previously disadvantaged individuals is one of our key objectives. VDQ in essence is a professional body created by the industry for the industry!

Statutory status and Value proposition

• The VDQGBSA is registered as a Non-Profit Company (NPC) 2013/069831/108 in terms of Section 14 of the Companies Act 2008.
• The VDQGBSA is registered with the South Africa Qualifications Authority (SAQA) as a Non-Statutory Professional Body ID Number: 1049
• To be considered as Professional Body one needs to host Professional Designations that is linked to a National Qualification: i.e.
  • Professional Designations: Certified Vehicle Damage Quantifier
  • National Qualification: Vehicle Damage Quantifier, SAQA QUAL ID 99507

VDQGBSA is governed by SAQA’s 3 compulsory pillars of a professional body:

• Sustainability
• Accountability
• Professional Competence

VDQ Value Proposition for members

VDQ aims to effectively promote skills development by encouraging the acquisition of the VDQ qualification and or the designation of the Vehicle Damage Quantifier within the motor industry sector. Our objective is to create an Industry platform for assessors and estimator to belong to a recognized vehicle damage quantification professional body which supports the nature of the skillset.  It is with this in mind that we want to enhance the assessor and estimator skills by ensuring continuous professional development.

VDQ will assist individuals to achieve the VDQ Qualification or the Professional Designation by providing infrastructure, meaningful information, support, and advice. The upskilling of previously disadvantaged individuals and the prevention of barrier to entry remains a key focus point. Creating awareness with the public at large and industry role players of the unique skills and competencies required to appraise a damaged modern-day technically advanced motor vehicle to successfully restore it to its pre-accident condition. Uplifting the image of the assessors and estimators operating in the field of vehicle damage quantification. Also, to establish and maintain a governance practice to ensure the professional body operates according to good corporate governance, an ethical code of conduct and conforms to its constitution and memorandum of incorporation as prescribed by SAQA and the companies Act.

Ways to obtain VDQ SAQA Certification 

• Through the VDQGBSA / SAQA RPL&E process for current practitioners with certain minimum requirements
• By first obtaining the VDQ qualification through the statuary RPL process at a QCTO training provider / occupational assessment centre (OAC)
• Or achieve the VDQ qualification through normal learning at a QCTO accredited training provider plus 18 month’s workplace experience

What has kept us busy?

• Structured functionality of the Regional Executive Committee’s and National Executive Committee. The success of this strategic decision by the board is starting to show positive results
• Successful launch of the first awards ceremony by the RECs of SE and NW regions.
• Proven continued support experienced from SAIA as well as the representation of SAIA on the board and NEC
• Proven and continued support of CRA
• Onboarding of 200 SAMBRA members via a special project, the support of SAMBRA on the board and on the NEC
• Onboarding of Net Assess
• Launch of the CPD platform and learning HUB including the “did you know” information portal.  
• Improving the AVID system to enhance registration of new members. We also busy digitising the application and registration process.
• SAQA official LOGO will now appear on all professional members VDQ certificates
• Continued industry engagement to grow the membership and advertise the value proposition
• Assisting our members to prepare a relevant Portfolio of Evidence (POE) to obtain the Qualification thru the RPL Process.
• Improve the VDQGBSA Internal RPL SAQA approved process to award professional status to current Practicing members wishing to promote to Professional status through concession
• Newsletter sent monthly to all members containing quality information with links to platforms for continued learning.
• Redesign of the web which is now much more functional

Strategic Objectives

1. Education of Members:
   1. Apply the VDQ internal RPL accreditation for all members that qualify before the authorities close the grace period and require members to complete the full qualification.
   2. Subscribe to Continuous Development Programs to ensure a Professional member remains knowledgeable on new technology and repair methods.
2. Growth of VDQGBSA:
   1. Grow the membership and promote the VDQ to become the strength in the industry.
   2. Position the profession that the VDQ concept becomes self-regulated in the industry
   3. Position the VDQGBSA in the industry to act as catalyst between the Motor Manufactures, Motor Body Repairs, and Insurance Industry.
3. Governance:
   1. Imbed the governance structure in business to ensure Professional Members operate in the ambit of Constitution of the VDQGBSA

Membership Statistics

Membership

The table below illustrates the total membership with a split into members in good standing and members in default.