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 autos.

It has round 90 car 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 fully hassle-free,” mentioned Michael Hitchcock, head of technical and coaching at AvailableCar. “Our technicians are massively necessary to the general success of the enterprise.”

He mentioned the altering market circumstances through the years have meant a rise within the expertise and information required to make sure its autos are offered with all the required 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 capable of full in-house because of this coaching funding.

“We’re at the moment doing our first-ever hybrid engine change, which is an enormous 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 embrace service technician and diagnostic technician, with AvailableCar additionally benefitting from Delphi’s bespoke coaching routes.

Hitchcock added: “This coaching is giving us rather 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, simple 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 Companies Supervisor at Delphi. “We’re delighted to have the ability to assist their technicians keep these requirements by means of our comprehension coaching providing, and thrilled to see them obtain these good points relating to first-time fixes, car turnaround time and workers retention.”