Iveco opens new £1 million training school in Winsford

Watford, 4 July 2012

Iveco has invested £1 million in developing a new high-tech training school for use by dealers and customers from across the UK and Ireland.

The new training school, based directly within Iveco’s extensive customer services facility in Winsford, is spread across an area of more than 18,000m², with its own reception, two state-of-the-art workshops and eight lecture rooms – two more than at the previous site.  The workshop area includes multiple vehicle work bays, capable of accommodating all vehicle types from the smallest panel van to the largest articulated truck.

Kevan Woodier, Iveco’s Training Manager, is responsible for a team of four full-time trainers on-site and expects his team to deliver training to more than 1,500 different delegates.

He explains: “This new facility takes our training capabilities to a whole new level.  It reflects the importance Iveco places on delivering the highest standards of training to our own staff, dealers and customers.”

Training ranges from foundation level electrical and diagnostics courses, to more advanced classes covering refrigerant handling and preventative maintenance techniques, as well as specialist courses for technicians servicing alternative-fuel and hybrid vehicles.

Amongst the most frequent visitors to the training school are Iveco dealer technicians, parts and service staff.  Customers are also invited to take advantage of the range of courses available – with regular training provided to vehicle technicians employed by the military, contract hire companies and privately-owned fleet’s operating their own vehicle workshops.

A full range of the customer courses available can be viewed at www.iveco-webacademy.com

Dealer training assessments
At the start of every year all Iveco dealers submit a training plan, with each service technician required to complete a minimum of five days training annually – comprising a mixture of online testing, distance learning and classroom training.

This is supported by an online ‘Competence Monitor’, which is used by Iveco to accurately profile the skills of dealer staff, highlighting areas where individuals require specific training.

When a new member of staff joins an Iveco dealer they are given an intensive training needs analysis by Iveco.  The results are assessed by their Service Manager, who can ensure they receive the required training to meet Iveco’s high standards.

The Virtual Workshop
Iveco operates one of the most advanced commercial vehicle technician training tools in the world – known internally as ‘The Virtual Workshop’.  Originally developed by Iveco UK, it is now used by Iveco globally and all new models are incorporated into the system prior to being launched.

The Virtual Workshop sits within its own dedicated lecture room and allows technicians to practice fault-finding exercises on all vehicle models and engines within the Iveco range.  It uses advanced simulation graphics to guide technicians – assembled in pairs in front of one of seven different dual-screen workstations – through the diagnostics procedures step-by-step.  The trainer controls the seven workstations from a master server, enabling them to programme a unique series of ‘faults’ into each workstation.

The Virtual Workshop enables thorough diagnosis of these system faults, allowing technicians to replace or adjust parts in an attempt to fix each fault.  They can even utilise a virtual version of Iveco’s E.A.S.Y diagnostics computer – as used across the dealer network.

Realistic sounds allow technicians to ‘hear’ how a vehicle is running.  For example, if an injector is faulty, the engine sounds rough – once the technician has diagnosed the fault and fitted a new injector, the engine sounds healthy again.

Woodier says: “The Virtual Workshop teaches technicians to follow the right diagnostic approach.  Once they have practiced their skills on screen, they can move into the workshop and perfect them on a real test vehicle.

“The beauty of the system is that each workstation can be programmed with a different virtual fault, allowing a group of up to 14 technicians to work in pairs to tackle their own fault-finding missions.

“It’s a fantastic resource to be able to utilise as a trainer.  It means we can guide technicians through complex fault finding processes in a fraction of the time it would realistically take in a workshop.  As a result, they can hone their skills across a far broader range of issues.”

Iveco

Iveco, a Fiat Industrial company, designs, manufactures, and markets a broad range of light, medium and heavy commercial vehicles, off-road trucks, city and intercity buses and coaches as well as special vehicles for applications such as fire fighting, off-road missions, defence and civil protection.

Iveco employs almost 25,000 people and runs in 11 Countries in the world using excellent technologies. Besides Europe, the company operates in China, Russia, Australia and Latin America. Around 5,000 sales and service outlets in over 160 Countries guarantee technical support wherever in the world an Iveco vehicle is at work.

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ref: IVECO 12023

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