Hella has launched its new Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) approved training facility, Hella Academy, with aims to help technicians understand new vehicle technologies.
Located in Chipping Warden, Banbury, the Hella Academy is opening its doors with two IMI accredited courses focused on Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). With concerns over a skills shortage related to the technology, despite an increasing number of vehicles entering the independent sector with ADAS equipped, the courses are likely to be popular.
Hella Academy’s ADAS IMI AOM 230 course provides technicians with the insurance approval needed to work on ADAS-equipped vehicles, while its ADAS L2 Award covers calibration, vehicle alignment, workshop requirements and more. Both two-day courses are available to book now for just £500 plus VAT.
“Leveraging our extensive expertise as an original equipment (OE) manufacturer, we are uniquely positioned to deliver ADAS training,” said Steve Fox, Training Manager at Hella Academy. “We already provide a wide range of ADAS parts and, through Hella Gutmann, supply the diagnostic tools, calibration equipment and technical support to service these systems. With the launch of Hella Academy, we are now also equipping technicians with formal ADAS qualifications.”
Battling the skills shortage
ADAS makes use of a variety of sensors – including ultrasonic, radar, and camera systems – to monitor the vehicle’s surroundings. These systems inform, warn, and even intervene to automate driving functions.
The IMI predicts that 44%of cars on UK roads will be ADAS-equipped by 2030, requiring 106,000 qualified technicians. However, based on current qualification and training trends, the IMI estimates a shortfall of 51,000 qualified technicians.
“We are helping to plug the skills gap,” said Fox. “Around 5% of the UK car parc already features level 2 autonomy, which means these vehicles can temporarily perform automated driving tasks without any driver intervention. It is vital workshops are aware of how widespread this technology is and how such systems are already affecting the jobs they undertake on a daily basis.”
Insurance Industry Requirements (IIR) state that ADAS inspection, realignment and calibration must be considered by technicians following the repair, service or maintenance of any parts that affect ADAS functionality or vehicle geometry.
Mod cons at Hella Academy
The new training centre is equipped with a modern classroom and state-of-the-art workshop to blend key theoretical learning with hands-on training, giving technicians an opportunity to put skills to the test.
The launch of Hella Academy follows the recent opening of Hella’s ‘Customer Experience Centre’, which showcases the full breadth of the product and service solutions it now delivers to the UK aftermarket.
Hella Academy training places for both ADAS IMI AOM 230 and ADAS L2 Award will be available to book in due course with further training expected to be added to the offering in the coming months.
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