The new Hella Academy has officially opened, in a ceremony that also saw the facility formally receive Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) approval.
Hella Academy is based at Hella’s UK office in Chipping Warden, near Banbury. The all-new academy is based around a modern classroom and state-of-the-art workshop that enables attendees to experience both desk learning with hands-on training.
Representatives from the IMI were at the event, where the certificate and plaque confirming IMI centre status was presented to Steve Fox, Training Manager at Hella Academy.
“This is a momentous day for all of us at Hella Academy,” said Fox. “Much work has gone into putting together this brand-new training centre. We can now work to support the sector up-skill, with the initial focus on Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).”
The day started with an address from Hella Managing Director Neil Grant to the assembled invitees and media. “The opening of Hella Academy is the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Hella,” Grant commented. “While bodyshops in the crash repair sector already understand being ADAS-capable is a must, many garages are still catching up. Through the training we will deliver via Hella Academy, they will be able to seize the ADAS opportunity.”
Grant also expanded on the need for awareness of training, alongside the learning of skills themselves. “Technical training, supporting the industry and helping fill that skills gap, are all important,” he added. “This skills gap does need to be addressed, but quite often it is that awareness around what training is needed, and how technicians can go about achieve it, that is lacking. In putting this facility together, it was just as important to think about how we make people aware of some of the requirements, some of the things they need when it comes to training.
The abilities of the Hella Academy
In a presentation from Steve Fox, the significance of the ADAS focus was addressed in the context of the continuing sector skills gap. He went on to show how Hella Gutmann’s latest CSC-Tool Digital provides a flexible solution for front camera and sensor calibration, with targets downloaded from the CSC-Tool Digital App and displayed on an integrated 200cm screen.
Following the IMI presentation ceremony, visitors were able to experience ADAS calibration in the workshop using mega macs X and the CSC-Tool via a live demonstration. Further presentations looked at cyber security and the challenges for the independent workshop, and the advantages offered by macsRemote for garages looking to take on franchised dealers.
“We already provide the tools,” said Julian Goulding, Head of Sales at Hella Gutmann. “But with the opening of our new Hella Academy, we are able to provide even wider backing for the garage sector in terms of training and development. As a result, independent garages will truly be able to make the most of ADAS.”
Guests were also treated to a tour of Hella’s showroom at the Hella Academy, highlighting how the company, perhaps more widely known for its lighting solutions, is an all-round equipment and diagnostics suppler.
While a dedicated section of the showroom was given over to lighting, with specially installed blackout blinds to show just how good the company’s equipment is, most of the area was taken up by its electronics and sensors offering, and its diagnostics equipment.
To find out more about the Hella Academy, or to book training, email hlgb.academy.hella@forvia.com. Auto Repair Focus interviewed Hella for an upcoming video feature on ADAS – sign up to the free Insight Newsletter to stay up to date with the latest from the website direct to your email inbox.
