Aftermarket March 2022

62 AFTERMARKET MARCH 2022 TRAINING www.aftermarketonline.net The RMI Academy of Automotive Skills offers two wheel alignment courses, which are held at training sites in Southam and Runcorn. Wheel Alignment Introduction and Awareness is a half-day course for technicians with little or no knowledge of wheel alignment procedures. The course covers the safety and understanding of wheel alignment equipment, features and data, giving technicians knowledge of the various tools and equipment available and how to use them within the workplace. Topics of study include how to work safely using wheel alignment equipment, understanding the structure and flexibility of the equipment and how to use equipment from various manufacturers. It also covers positioning of the vehicle, flexibility within equipment, vehicle safety features and alignment steps. Meanwhile, Wheel Alignment Awareness and Practical is a one-day course for technicians with some prior knowledge of wheel alignment procedures, and covers the features and safety of wheel alignment equipment and data, including adjusting. In addition to the subject areas mentioned earlie, this course includes a practical element where technicians will be able to demonstrate and use the equipment within the workshop, enabling them to put what they have learnt into practice on the same day. RMI members receive preferential pricing as a benefit of membership. For more information visit: www.RMItrainingAcademy.co.uk RMI: Wheel Alignment training TMD Friction supports young automotive learners Through its Mintex braking brand, TMD Friction has joined forces with Rallysport Engineering Academy in Essex to support 14-16 year olds with their motor vehicle studies. In addition to merchandise and Mintex products, TMD Friction will be providing technical training to back-up the work performed by Rallysport Engineering. Working in conjunction with Skills and Education Group Awards and the IMI, Rallysport Engineering works with those who find the normal learning environment a challenge. As a result, 80% of learning time is practical. The Rallysport Engineering Academy has worked with more than 40 different schools and organisations to date. Scott Irwin MIMI, Head of Technical Training at TMD Friction, commented: “A key objective for TMD Friction in 2022 is to reach out to colleges, schools and academies like Rallysport Engineering and support the work they do in bringing through the automotive people of tomorrow. The blended learning approach from the academy works extremely well and we’re delighted with the interest they have in the Mintex brand and its technical qualities.” Rallysport Engineering Academy Special Projects Manager Adrian Maddock added: “Both staff and students receive an enormous boost when leading names like Mintex come to visit and show an interest in our learning programmes. It underlines the work that we do and keeps young learners motivated and excited about future opportunities in the motor trade.” Undertaking EV training for staff has enabled Elite Garages to keep up with growing demand across its 14 sites. At least two technicians from each site were sent to Autotech Training to complete their IMI Level 3 Electric/Hybrid vehicle training. Training and Development Co-ordinator for Elite Garages Josh Whittemore observed: “Over the last seven months, we have seen a significant uplift in calls from customers for electric vehicle repairs and general advice. We selected the number of vehicle technicians from each site to receive the EV training, based on the density of EV sales within their local area. For instance, due to a high number of Tesla sales within Bournemouth, four vehicle technicians from that site were trained.” Autotech Training offers Level 2 to Level 4 IMI electric/hybrid vehicle courses either from its EV training suite within its Milton Keynes base, or on-site at the garage. A number of two-day IMI Level 3 courses were carried out within Elite Garage’s headquarters in Partridge Green, West Sussex. Mandla Ndhlovu, Training Delivery Director for Autotech Training, added: “We cannot lose sight of the fact that these are high-voltage vehicles, and, as an industry, we have a duty of care to ensure people have the necessary skills and knowledge to work safely on, or around EVs. Employers will also find themselves liable if an untrained employee is injured while working around an electric vehicle. While dealer groups have been pushing EV training for some time throughout their networks, it is encouraging that so many independent garage businesses are being proactive and getting prepared for the inevitable rise in demand.” For more information, visit: www.autotechtraining.co.uk Garage chain upskills to meet Electric Vehicle demand Follow us on Facebook/aftermarket magazine