The Garage 325

NewsExtra
GS Yuasa Academy graduates become
fully-fledged members of the IMI
battery failure as a direct result of the UK’s
vehicles being off the road.”
The battery training platform was
specifically developed for busy vehicle
technicians who are unable to take a day
away from the workshop to attend faceto-face
training. The platform’s courses,
all delivered in a dynamic video format,
provide the same level of information and
expertise as the training delivered in a more
traditional setting.
“The COVID-19 pandemic meant inperson
training was no longer a possibility
which is exactly where GS Yuasa Academy
comes in – learners can complete courses
in their own time, whether this is in
between jobs or outside of workshop
hours.” added Ian.
The first GS Yuasa Academy graduates
are beginning to receive IMI
membership and certification as the
battery training platform continues
to go from strength to strength.
Since its launch in 2019, the awardwinning
GS Yuasa Academy has been
the industry’s leading battery training
platform with thousands of learners as
well as accolades including CPD and IMI
accreditation.
GS Yuasa Academy remains the only
battery training platform to receive both
IMI and CPD accreditation. Learners who
successfully complete all the platform’s
individual courses can apply for Institute
of the Motor Industry (IMI) membership
and all the benefits it brings, including a
printed certificate, through the platform.
Each successfully completed course also
counts towards Continuing Professional
Development (CPD) and results in a
downloadable certificate.
For those unfamiliar, the battery
training platform consists of 21 individual
courses, ranging from the basics of battery
operation to the correct application of
next generation battery types. Courses
are tailored to each learner’s job role –
ensuring everyone from customer service
advisors to workshop technicians can be
confident in their battery knowledge.
Learners can complete courses as and
when suits them, whether that’s in between
jobs or during their lunch break. GS Yuasa
Academy was designed and developed to
be easily incorporated into the schedule of
busy technicians or workshop owners.
Over the last 18 months, GS Yuasa
Academy has brought significant value
to workshops and workshop technicians
across the country. Frederick Sterling,
Operations Co-ordinator at Battery Service
Hub in Leicestershire, recently completed
the Academy and said: “It’s been a great
way to increase both skills and knowledge.
I’ve finetuned my understanding of the
basics and learnt so much more. I have an
increased level of confidence talking to
customers that I didn’t have before – plus,
being able to add an IMI certificate to our
wall is fantastic representation for the
company.”
“Applying for certification couldn’t be
easier, the application process is completed
within the Academy itself and my certificate
arrived a few days later!”
The battery manufacturer welcomed
a spike in new learners as lockdown
restrictions were enforced across the UK.
Unable to leave their homes, workshop
technicians looked to the training platform
to develop their understanding of battery
technology and its ever-increasing
application in modern vehicles.
Ian Newham, Training Manager at GS
Yuasa Battery Sales UK said: “Not only were
workshop technicians now stuck at home
but we started to see an increasing rate of
All courses are presented by the battery
manufacturer’s long-standing Training
Manager, Ian Newham and Dee Meir and are
supported by the downloadable support
materials, allowing learners to compile their
own resources to support their role.
John Hall, a self-employed auto
electrician based in North Yorkshire saw
value in the platform and said: “Training is a
dirty word – it’s often not talked about but
is so important. Batteries are something we
in the industry come across every day and
it’s often assumed they either work or they
don’t.”
“Understanding what causes a battery
not to work is incredibly important and
that’s where GS Yuasa Academy excels.
I’ve found other training is too generic,
however the Academy strikes the right
balance between technical information and
ease of understanding – plus, the ability to
revisit things you’ve forgotten is invaluable.
I was doing a course a night – it was quite
addictive!”
GS Yuasa Academy has provided
thousands of learners with the skills they
need to increase sales, reduce returns and
improve customer service.
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