AvailableCar, the Midlands-based used automobile grocery store group, has partnered with Delphi to make sure the continuous upskilling of its technicians as they work on extra superior automobiles.

It has round 90 automobile technicians working throughout its 4 automobile supermarkets, who service and put together the tons of of vehicles it sells every week.

“Our sole goal is to make the client expertise world-class and utterly hassle-free,” mentioned Michael Hitchcock, head of technical and coaching at AvailableCar. “Our technicians are massively essential to the general success of the enterprise.”

He mentioned the altering market situations over time have meant a rise within the expertise and data required to make sure its automobiles are offered with all the mandatory servicing and repairs accomplished.

“Once we first opened, we thought we’d by no means do timing belts or clutches,” Hitchcock mentioned. 

“They’re now commonplace alongside many different superior diagnostic and restore jobs, which we’re now in a position to full in-house due to this coaching funding.

“We’re at the moment doing our first-ever hybrid engine change, which is a giant milestone.”

Since enrolling on the event programme, all 4 AvailableCar workshops have reported vital enhancements in efficiency, effectivity, and buyer satisfaction.

Six members of workers have already achieved grasp technician standing by means of Delphi’s tailor-made coaching with many extra at the moment on route for IMI qualification. Different accredited Delphi coaching paths embody service technician and diagnostic technician, with AvailableCar additionally benefitting from Delphi’s bespoke coaching routes.

Hitchcock added: “This coaching is giving us way more than the plain expertise and improved workshop efficiencie.

“I’ve had workers come up and thank me for the coaching. Our technicians really feel valued and motivated, and we’re rewarding their elevated skillset with pay rises too.”

Andrew Rayner, the most recent AvailableCar worker to qualify as a grasp technician, mentioned: “It’s been a extremely nice journey. All the trainers are spot-on, straightforward to get on with and really educated.

“Issues like EVs, they’re scary in the event you don’t know what you’re doing however they’ve given me the arrogance to do these jobs.”

“AvailableCar is a broadly recognised model, famend for its excessive requirements,” mentioned Luke Garratt, UK Technical Providers Supervisor at Delphi. “We’re delighted to have the ability to assist their technicians preserve these requirements by means of our comprehension coaching providing, and thrilled to see them obtain these positive aspects in terms of first-time fixes, automobile turnaround time and workers retention.”