December 2020

programme can be accessed by anyone in the motor repair and aftermarket industry and provides a modular learning platform that provides knowledge where it is needed most.” Levels Philip explained how the company organises its training: “Delphi Technologies offers a total of 26 courses, which are broken down into four levels and regularly updated to reflect the latest industry advancements. These levels are, fast fit; service; diagnostic; and Master Technician. Unsurprisingly, the most popular course relates to hybrid powertrain and covers everything a budding or seasoned technician may need to know. “Some find it easier to learn by doing rather than seeing or hearing, so while Delphi Technologies has invested heavily in its online tuition offering, it is also striving to increase the already high practical content of its courses. For example, the latest ADAS course features 70% practical learning, whereas the average is closer to around 60%. “ Philip added: “Despite it being such W ith the government announcing that the end of new petrol and diesel car sales has been moved to 2030 from the earlier 2040 deadline as Aftermarket went to press, the need for individuals and garages to invest in training has never been higher. According the IMI, there are approximately 245,000 mechanics, working on 38 million UK vehicles. In October there were 383,000 plug-in cars and vans registered, which is predicted to increase to around 10.6 million by 2030, and the IMI has calculated that the UK would need around 70,500 qualified technicians to support this vehicle parc. At present, the IMI believes there are somewhere between 13,000 and 20,000 techs currently qualified to work on EVs, which means an additional 57,000 technicians will be needed by 2030. Emerging This is a steep curve for the industry to try and address. However, the fast pace at which technologies utilised by the automotive industry are developing represents a golden opportunity for anybody seeking additional training. “There’s a shortage of skilled people serving the automotive aftermarket, so it is vital that the industry attracts a new generation of specialists and offers experienced professionals the support they need to keep up to date with the latest technologies and emerging powertrains,” said Philip Mitchell of Delphi Technologies, whom we spoke to with regards to the company’s training programme – recently restarted following a COVID- 19-related break. “COVID-19 has forced a change to established processes across most industries and it has also helped us to refine the way our training is delivered. Whereas pre-pandemic training would take place onsite, the 38 AFTERMARKET DECEMBER/JANUARY 2021 TRAINING AND APPRENTICESHIPS www.aftermarketonline.net GET AHEAD BY LEARNING Training and apprenticeships are absolutely vital for businesses and individual technicians, enabling everyone to progress and take on the latest opportunities new syllabus provides a perfect blend of online and COVID-19 safe onsite options. We will soon be launching an additional brand-new e-learning platform that provides a flexible way of learning that is ideal for these trying times.” Philip continued: “The main benefit of Delphi Technologies’ offering is that learners profit from the company’s status as a trusted OE supplier. This relationship with vehicle manufacturers translates into a leading aftermarket service and, in turn, a regularly updated training curriculum that covers all the very latest models and technologies, from electrified powertrain to ADAS. “Our training is unique in that it is affiliated to an OE supplier and provides a clearly structured and targeted career progression over a period of five to six years, while it also allows vastly experienced technicians to hone their skills and learn about new technologies. Essentially, it fills the big training gap in the automotive aftermarket industry where unless you are an apprentice or work with a franchised main dealer, there’s seemingly little available in terms of training. The below: Delphi Technologies training in the classroom