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Euro Car Parts (ECP) has unveiled its Euro Academy, a technical resource designed specifically to support the independent garage. In addition to IMI-certified practical training, the membership initiative also encompasses a dedicated technical phone helpline manned by a team of eight master techs initially and an online diagnostics database that includes a reference library of previous faults.
The technical support team offer guidance on diagnostic and repair procedures via the phone or online and technical information on any marque and model is available from its online diagnostic database, which expands by 2,500 repair details each week.
Supported by training specialists Grup Eina, the Euro Academy covers all areas of vehicle maintenance. This includes electrical, electronic, mechanical and diagnostic fault-finding and offers assessment and training solutions for every level of workshop employee. For the master technician, courses take place at one of ECP’s IMI-approved training centres, which have more than 30 cars fitted with electronic fault simulators, all able to replicate real-life vehicle issues.
ECP-owned IMI approved centres are currently based in Avonmouth, Milton Keynes and Reading with planned facilities for 2017 including Glasgow, Sunderland, Manchester and Norwich. The syllabus for the remainder of 2016 and 2017 will be unveiled shortly.
The Euro Academy programme covers three levels of membership:
Level one offers unlimited use of helpline time, as well as access to Euro Vehicle troubleshooting and online assessments for technicians
Level two adds a two-day training course
Level three adds three, two-day training courses every year to the package
The first 200 garages to sign up for the initiative will receive a weekend package to attend Autoinform Live, including hotel accommodation and dinner with the Euro Car Parts team. Autoinform Live takes place the weekend of 19 and 20 November and provides a great opportunity to gain aftermarket insight and training while mixing with like-minded businesses.
Martin Gray, UK chief executive officer at ECP, noted: “We’re delighted to further build on our commitment to the independent garage by unveiling our new training initiative. Technology continues to evolve at pace, with vehicles that are now more fuel efficient, computationally complex and diverse than ever before. With alternatively-fuelled vehicles and connected technology all making their way into the garage, it is important that the industry is in a position to respond.”
Gray continued: “Euro Car Parts is passionate about the UK’s independent garage network and, by investing in programmes such as the Euro Academy, we want to make sure our trade customers are well-placed to further build on their far-reaching levels of quality and service. Working in partnership with our members, we will continue to invest in and develop the Euro Academy to ensure that the independent garage sector is robustly positioned for the transport infrastructure of the future.”
Annual membership of the scheme is available via the ECP branch network across the UK and is paid for in monthly instalments.
