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The Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation

GS Yuasa Academy graduates become fully-fledged members of the IMI

Date: Wednesday 03 March 2021

The first GS Yuasa Academy graduates are beginning to receive IMI membership and certification as the battery training platform continues to go from strength to strength. Since its launch in 2019, the award-winning GS Yuasa Academy has been the industry’s leading battery training platform with thousands of learners as well as accolades including CPD and IMI accreditation.

GS Yuasa Academy remains the only battery training platform to receive both IMI and CPD accreditation. Learners who successfully complete all the platform’s individual courses can apply for Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) membership and all the benefits it brings, including a printed certificate, through the platform. Each successfully completed course also counts towards Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and results in a downloadable certificate.

For those unfamiliar, the battery training platform consists of 21 individual courses, ranging from the basics of battery operation to the correct application of next generation battery types. Courses are tailored to each learner’s job role – ensuring everyone from customer service advisors to workshop technicians can be confident in their battery knowledge.

Learners can complete courses as and when suits them, whether that’s in between jobs or during their lunch break. GS Yuasa Academy was designed and developed to be easily incorporated into the schedule of busy technicians or workshop owners.

Over the last 18 months, GS Yuasa Academy has brought significant value to workshops and workshop technicians across the country. Frederick Sterling, Operations Co-ordinator at Battery Service Hub in Leicestershire, recently completed the Academy and said: “It’s been a great way to increase both skills and knowledge. I’ve finetuned my understanding of the basics and learnt so much more. I have an increased level of confidence talking to customers that I didn’t have before – plus, being able to add an IMI certificate to our wall is fantastic representation for the company.”

“Applying for certification couldn’t be easier, the application process is completed within the Academy itself and my certificate arrived a few days later!”

The battery manufacturer welcomed a spike in new learners as lockdown restrictions were enforced across the UK. Unable to leave their homes, workshop technicians looked to the training platform to develop their understanding of battery technology and its ever-increasing application in modern vehicles.

Ian Newham, Training Manager at GS Yuasa Battery Sales UK said: “Not only were workshop technicians now stuck at home but we started to see an increasing rate of battery failure as a direct result of the UK’s vehicles being off the road.”

The battery training platform was specifically developed for busy vehicle technicians who are unable to take a day away from the workshop to attend face-to-face training. The platform’s courses, all delivered in a dynamic video format, provide the same level of information and expertise as the training delivered in a more traditional setting.

“The COVID-19 pandemic meant in-person training was no longer a possibility which is exactly where GS Yuasa Academy comes in – learners can complete courses in their own time, whether this is in between jobs or outside of workshop hours.” added Ian.

All courses are presented by the battery manufacturer’s long-standing Training Manager, Ian Newham and Dee Meir and are supported by the downloadable support materials, allowing learners to compile their own resources to support their role.

John Hall, a self-employed auto electrician based in North Yorkshire saw value in the platform and said: “Training is a dirty word – it’s often not talked about but is so important. Batteries are something we in the industry come across every day and it’s often assumed they either work or they don’t.”

“Understanding what causes a battery not to work is incredibly important and that’s where GS Yuasa Academy excels. I’ve found other training is too generic, however the Academy strikes the right balance between technical information and ease of understanding – plus, the ability to revisit things you’ve forgotten is invaluable. I was doing a course a night – it was quite addictive!”

GS Yuasa Academy has provided thousands of learners with the skills they need to increase sales, reduce returns and improve customer service.

To find out more, or to start learning today, visit www.academy.gs-yuasa.eu