Diesel, petrol and electrical issues dominate calls to LKQ Academy Technical Helpline
Published: 17 May, 2023
35% of calls into the LKQ Academy Technical Helpline relate to diesel systems, a study by the service has revealed, making this the most common area for queries.
The Technical Helpline and Technical Troubleshooting Database are available to members of LKQ Academy . The Helpline, which receives over 1,000 calls per month, also saw 15% of calls since the start of 2023 relating to petrol issues, with a further 15% based around electric issues.
The data was compared with scores in the LKQ Academy Skills Assessment, and diesel and petrol test scores were the lowest overall in the first quarter of the year, with technicians averaging 32%. The test also highlighted that many need to top up their skills on electrical systems, as results for electrical were only slightly higher at 47%.
Bob Wiffen, Workshop Solutions Director at LKQ Euro Car Parts, said: “Petrol and diesel engines will be commonplace on our roads for a long time yet, and it’s important technicians can complete every job on them effectively and efficiently. Workshops have been evolving and adapting over recent years. While it’s right that upskilling in diagnostics, ADAS and hybrid/EV is a focus, it’s important not to overlook the basics.
Commenting on the Technical Support provision, Bob observed: “Through our Technical Support provision, it’s like we’re putting a team of Master Technicians in our customers’ workshops, whenever they need them. One call to the helpline can save hours tracing an elusive component failure, helping to increase profitability and customer satisfaction.
For more information, visit: www.lkqacademy.co.uk
- LKQ Academy offers EV/hybrid training boost
LKQ Euro Car Parts has published the 2022 course schedule for its LKQ Academy training arm, and the company is aiming to provide EV and hybrid training for at least 3,000 technicians over the next 12 months.
- Autodata launches online training platform
Autodata has launched a new online training offering; Autodata Training. The subscription service offers 350 technical training videos. Topics covered include electrical and mechanical fundamentals, advanced diagnostics, plug-in hybrids, pure electric vehicles and ADAS.
- 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.”
- Free Opus IVS technical events in April
A pair of technical open evenings led by Opus IVS are being held at the RMI Academy in Runcorn on Wednesday 19 April and Thursday 20 April.
- 300% increase in EV/hybrid training demand
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.
