300% increase in EV/hybrid training demand

Published: 22 September, 2022

LKQ Euro Car Parts says demand for the IMI-accredited EV and hybrid training offered through LKQ Academy has increased by more than 300% in just two years.

So far in 2022, 1,280 technicians have undertaken EV and hybrid training via the provider, with another 500 places already booked this year. In fact there are just 300 spaces still available for 2022.The number of seats filled in 2022 to September represents more than a 300% increase on all of 2020.

Bob Wiffen, Workshop Solutions Director at LKQ Euro Car Parts said: “Hybrids are increasingly commonplace in the independent aftermarket, and EVs won’t be far behind, once they start coming out of warranty at scale. Independent garages are already widely acknowledged to be ahead of the dealerships on quality of service and value for money. Now is the time to upskill, so that they can keep pace with a customer base that’s evolving. Those that move first will enjoy a competitive advantage locally, at least for the time being.”

LKQ Academy intends to train a further 2,000 technicians in EV and hybrid service, maintenance and repair in 2023, and is launching EV troubleshooting and HV Battery Repair courses in addition.

For more information, visit: www.lkqacademy.com

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LKQ Euro Car Parts launches e-learning suite
LKQ Euro Car Parts has launched a new e-learning suite that covers a wide range of topics, from MOTs and diagnostics to hybrids and EVs, as well as specifics like brakes, electrics, A/C and steering and suspension.
Future-proofed: Training technicians for the long-term
While experience in the day-to-day activities of a workshop is vital in building a technician’s knowledge and skills, it is only one piece of the puzzle. For example, a technician who has been servicing solely petrol and diesel vehicles for the past 15 years will unlikely be able to help a customer with a hybrid or electric vehicle. What’s more, given the safety concerns involved, it would be dangerous for them to try. What about servicing the latest safety-critical systems, like ADAS? Certainly not a worthwhile risk without the appropriate knowledge or equipment.

Systematic training in new technologies is, therefore, the best way to ensure a workshop will continue to successfully serve aftermarket customers, even in times of rapid change.

“The Auto Education Academy portal from Euro Car Parts brings IMI-approved online and practical courses together with a database of over 500,000 resolved technical queries, with an average of 600 new repairs added daily,” observed Adam White, Workshop Solutions Director at Euro Car Parts. “It provides technicians with one of the largest technical training and knowledge resources in the independent aftermarket.”

“Training is an integral part of ongoing success in this industry,” continued Adam. “It allows technicians to further their career and workshop owners to develop a highly-skilled team of professionals.”

While many would agree to education’s importance in principle, it can be difficult to carry out a training plan and accept lost revenue in the short-term. Online learning can provide the flexibility to bridge that gap.

“Repairers can login to their own skills portal to view the content of more than 75 different courses, registering and booking their place on training workshops all over the country at the click of a button,” said Adam. “They can also assess their strengths and identify weaknesses in nine key areas: Petrol engines, diesel engines, engine management and emissions, vehicle electronics, hybrid and electric cars, brakes, powertrain, tyres, steering and suspension, as well as air-conditioning.

“Results are automatically added to an interactive skills diagram, illustrating a repairer’s current skillset and enabling them to set their own training and development targets. Where gaps exist, the learner management system intuitively recommends Auto Education courses that can help increase knowledge in those areas.”

Invaluable
“The platform has been designed so that anybody can complete a skills overview,” pointed out Adam. “This makes the tool invaluable to workshop managers looking to monitor staff skillsets or test potential hires. Our new learning portal represents a significant investment by Euro Car Parts in helping to nurture the knowledge and skills of technicians across the country.
“As with any profession, it is important for technicians to continue professional development throughout their career. It is also the role of managers to identify gaps in their team and commit staff to training that will address shortcomings in the workshop’s capabilities. For more immediate solutions, the programme features a technical helpline that provides fast responses to troubleshooting, repair, diagnostics and technical information queries on any vehicle, from any manufacturer.”
Adam concluded: “For those with an eagerness to learn and evolve, it is an exciting era for the independent aftermarket. “We consider the success of technicians and independent workshops as the foundation of our industry and believe nothing plays a greater role, or makes more of an impact, than education.”
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