CVW outlines a selection of the e-learning opportunities available to technicians in light of the coronavirus pandemic.
In these uncertain times, social distancing measures mean the usual methods of face-to-face education are no longer viable. However, this shouldn’t result in a decrease in training opportunities. Companies across the commercial vehicle industry have a plethora of resources available online to ensure technicians and fleet managers can continue to develop their skills enhance their knowledge with e-learning courses and materials.
Whilst there are many options to choose from, here are some of the available opportunities technicians can pursue to continue their development:
HELLA
TechWorld from Hella is designed to educate technicians by providing them with a myriad of useful information, which includes step-by-step repair guides and an online catalogue, as well as new products and fault diagnoses.
Its most recent update includes a new feature that allows technicians to search by a vehicle registration number or enter an original equipment number and find the relevant Hella aftermarket part number, allowing them to make a like-for-like replacement.
Moreover, the site provides repair guides for most of Hella’s specialist areas, including lighting, electronics, and filtration, with images incorporated when necessary to demonstrate the instructions.
For more information, click here.
VALEO
Valeo has developed a series of technical webinars for industry professionals. The webinars – on subjects like air conditioning, wiping systems, and clutch repair – can be accessed online. There are no restrictions and no time limits. This is especially important as a recent study showed that only 27% of independent workshops had given their employees training in the previous 12 months.
Valeo’s technical assistance for customers consists of in-depth technical training, Tech @ssist, the Tech’Care programme, mountains of technical data, and a support hotline. With Valeo’s Tech @ssist, findind the right parts and up-to-date technical information is simple. Just enter the vehicle model or product reference in the interface and have the results in seconds.
For more information, click here.
WABCO
With a total of 17 online courses available in 12 languages, the Wabco Academy offers a wide variety of technical and business training courses online. The content of the course is divided into modules, and these often consist of a number of learning units, allowing students to learn step-by-step.
Examples of the courses available include:
- How to replace an E-APU (equivalent to Scania’s APS)
- How to accurately handle Wabco’s OptiTire tyre pressure monitoring system
- A Traxee Fleet Management Solution online course
On the Wabco Academy website, you can also find an e-learning course on braking systems designed to update the user about the properties, functions, and distinctive characteristics of the system, commissioning, diagnosis, and repair.
For more information, click here.
Logistics UK (was FTA)
Logistics UK has launched an online version of the Operator Licence Awareness Training Course (OLAT) to ensure operators can continue to receive vital compliance training under the Government’s social distancing rules. The e-OLAT will form one of six training courses now available to access online – Logistics UK has temporarily suspended all face-to-face training events under COVID-19 government guidance.
In addition to e-OLAT, FTA has five training courses available to access online, including ‘General Security Awareness Training’ (GSAT), ‘Introduction to dangerous goods by air, road, and sea – overview for management’, ‘Operator licence compliance’, ‘Shipping dangerous goods by sea’, and ‘Transport Manager CPC’ options.
For more information, click here.
GATES
With many workshop technicians confined to their homes at the moment, Gates has increased the frequency of its live webinars. Delivered by Gates UK training specialist Jason Ford, the webinars, although primarily aimed at car mechanics, are appropriate for repairers of light commercial vehicles. This month, there are two seminars:
Thu 7th May: Hoses – 10:30am, 45 mins
Fri 22nd May: Water Pumps – 10:30am, 45 mins
The webinars are broadcast in several languages and their length varies from 30 to 90 minutes. Questions are raised via the chat function or asked directly at the end of each session. More webinars will be scheduled in the weeks to come. Check out the Gates TechZone to get an overview of all upcoming webinars.
For more information, click here.
ASSOCIATION OF FLEET PROFESSIONALS (AFP)
AFP, which undertakes fleet industry training under the new Fleet Academy banner – following the merger of ICFM and trade organisation ACFO’s operations – offers an Intermediate Certificate in LCV Fleet Management programme as an online distance-learning course. The programme covers five modules on: principles of people management, effective vehicle fleet administration, finance, acquisition, and remarketing and legal compliance. There are also assignments and knowledge reviews following the completion of each module.
The study time is estimated to be between 30 and 40 hours in total, but the programme allows for a flexible arrangement to suit the user’s needs. The total cost of the programme is £1,500, or alternatively, each of the five modules can be purchased individually for £350 per module.
For more information, click here.
HENKEL
Packed with application information, including a downloadable user guide, videos on topics such as why assemblies fail, and how to disassemble threadlocked assemblies, Henkel’s website offers plenty of support. There are also videos of how various industrial sectors have benefitted from the technology.
Henkel sales engineers are continuing to provide online consultations and demonstrations, and users can also gain access to webinars on threadlocking and other adhesive technologies. The company is also offering free online consultations to help customers reinforce their maintenance and repair processes.
For more information, click here.
GS YUASA
The GS Yuasa Academy features over 20 detailed training courses. It covers every step of a battery’s ‘journey’ – from leaving the shelf, through ongoing maintenance, to end of service life.
Further to this, GS Yuasa Academy has become the first battery training programme to provide training accredited by the leading independent CPD accreditation institution.
This comes following a comprehensive assessment of the site to ensure it meets the institution’s standards and benchmarks. This announcement sees the battery manufacturer become the first to offer CPD-accredited battery training.
Users of the online training platform can claim CPD points and prove to employers and professional bodies that they have kept their skills and knowledge up to date with industry standards.
The GS Yuasa Academy delivers professional battery training through its blend of engaging video content and downloadable support material. Each module only takes a few minutes to complete, can be completed at the user’s own pace, and results in a downloadable certificate bearing the CPD logo upon successful completion.
For more information, click here.
