The Garage 282

News 20
Delphi Technologies launches IMI
accredited Training Programme
With rapid
changes in
technology, it’s
critical that the
aftermarket has
the right level of knowledge to
service any vehicle. Without
the proper technician training
and education, garages could
be limited in what they are
able to repair, losing out on
potential profits.
Having recognised this risk,
Delphi Technologies offers an
extensive training programme,
covering the very latest vehicle
technologies. This training
covers every level, from basic
diagnostics right through to
the in-depth knowledge required
to test and repair the
most advanced OE systems.
“We know that technicians
tend to learn by doing, which
is why our unique, half theory,
half practical approach
to training has yielded such
great results” comments Delphi
Training Manager, Phil
Mitchell. “We start in the classroom,
learning the theory be-
Recent reports released by the IMI have painted a bleak
outlook for the motor trade in the recruitment of school leavers
and apprentices.
Just a quarter of parents reported that they would be
happy for their child to take the vehicle technician route,
compared to 59% who favoured their offspring pursuing an
engineering career.
These somewhat damning figures illustrate the work that
still needs to be done to blow the misconception of what
working in the automotive industry today is really like. Essentially,
it demands digital skills, diagnosticians who can
solve puzzles without physical clues, like an engine knocking
or an oil leak. We work in an industry which is typically perceived
as an old-fashioned and dirty trade, so it needs to be
made an attractive option at a young age to ensure that the
next generation of talent is enthusiastic and willing to learn
the necessary skills.
The revival of the industry over the last few years has
brought significant success to the sector, and around
800,000 jobs have been sustained. The value of the automotive
aftermarket alone is set to rise to £28 billion by 2022,
with the creation of an expected 400,000 roles. But who’s
going to fill them? And what about the exodus of retiring
workers? Who’s going to take over these positions? It’s a
serious issue which needs to be addressed, and we need to
start looking at school leavers and the options available to
hind the product. Then it’s
into the workshop for practical,
hands-on exercises. After
all it’s difficult to understand
how something works, until
you have experienced it yourself.
Our courses have been
designed to allow you to understand
what is happening,
why it’s happening and how
to resolve it, giving you highly
valuable, transferable skills,
that you can put to good use
when you’re back in the workshop.
We like to call it ‘learn
to earn’.”
What’s more, Delphi is
now offering a series of training
pathways leading to IMI
accreditations for the technician.
There are 3 levels of
pathway moving from Service
Technician through Diagnostic
Technician and right up to
Master Technician status. The
starting point on the pathway
is determined by the technician’s
current level of skill
and knowledge and if there
is any doubt about this then
Delphi can help out by offering
a Training Needs Assessment
questionnaire.
Each pathway contains a
series of training courses
and upon completion of these
courses there is a set of practical
assessments and an online
exam. Upon passing the
technician will achieve a Delphi
qualification, and an IMI
national accreditation at the
equivalent level valid for 3
years.
One business that has already
engaged with the IMIaccreditation
pathway is Protyre.
“Now with 145 centres
we see massive advantages
in sending our technicians
through the Delphi Technologies
training programme, this
forms part of our ProTech
Academy”, commented Dean
Richardson, Regional Director
from Protyre.
To find out more about
Delphi Technologies’ training
programme visit www.delphiaftermarket.com.
Why we need to change the perception of a career in the
motor trade amongst school leavers By Gavin White, MD, Autotech Recruit
them.
Through budget squeezing over the last decade, Colleges
have been forced to severely narrow the curriculum they offer
as our austerity-obsessed government seeks to maintain
the excellence of our institutions at a fraction of the cost.
This has left College administrators squeezing every ounce
out of lectures and focusing on the more profitable STEM
subjects, leaving the more technical courses, such as motor
mechanics, at risk of being wiped out. And, as the IMI have
pointed out, the career advice given to school leavers is worryingly
inconsistent.
Encouragingly though, according to the report, 36% of
parents said that they felt it was more important to learn a
trade/skill than it is to learn a subject, compared to 27% in
2014. But, do they know how much the industry has evolved
and the opportunities, particularly for apprentices, which are
available today?
As an industry, we need to raise the profile of these career
paths and apprenticeship programmes to a wider audience.
From educational facilities, to ensure they deliver the correct
information, to the parents and school leavers themselves.
Only then will we re-shape how the industry is perceived
and respected, to boost the number of home-grown motor
technicians entering the industry.
For further information please contact hello@autotechrecruit.co.uk
or call 01234 240503.
20 News.indd 1 14/09/2018 10:03