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In an era where technology and automation are revolutionising the automotive industry, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) have become a staple in modern vehicles.
For the aftermarket, the advent of this technology presents a new frontier, one of opportunities but also one potentially fraught with challenges. For an industry already grappling with a skills shortage having a workforce skilled to safely calibrate, repair, and maintain these vehicles is essential however, according to a recent survey, garages are still not prioritising ADAS training.
Since the turn of the millennium, automotive advancements have prioritised driver safety and comfort, marking a significant shift in how vehicles are designed, manufactured, and serviced. From 2022 it became compulsory for all manufacturers to include some ADAS features and while setting a new standard in vehicle safety, offering features that assist drivers in navigating the complexities of the road, this technological leap forward has brought with it a new set of challenges, especially in the realm of vehicle repair and maintenance.
An acute shortage of ADAS-trained vehicle technicians was highlighted in a report issued by The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) last year. By 2030, the industry is projected to require a total of 106,000 ADAS-qualified technicians. Yet, based on current trends in qualification and training, the IMI calculated that the industry is facing a shortfall of 51,000 qualified individuals.
This gap not only poses a risk to driver safety but also signals potential disruptions in operational efficiency and profitability for workshops and garages. ADAS training is not merely an optional upgrade; it is a critical necessity for these aftermarket businesses to meet customer expectations and effectively repair and maintain ADAS-enabled vehicles.
Despite this pressing need, Autotech Recruit's Automotive Recruitment Trends Survey Report, conducted earlier this year, revealed that just over 14% of automotive businesses consider ADAS training a priority. This alarming statistic should be a wake-up call, indicating a widespread underestimation of the importance of equipping vehicle technicians with the necessary skills to handle ADAS systems.
Already, for the body and repair sector, not having ADAS-trained technicians will result in potential work lost or increase repair costs using third party companies invalidate business insurance, and, back in 2020, the Insurance Industry Requirements (IIR) directive, was released to underscore the necessity for safe repair practices on ADAS-equipped vehicles while ensuring that vehicle manufacturers’ technical specifications are met to reinstate ADAS features safely, without compromising performance.
Given that the sensor calibration requirements vary from vehicle to vehicle, improper calibration can lead to false alerts or failures in detecting hazards, escalating the risk of accidents, injuries, and even fatalities.
Autotech Training offers an IMI-accredited ADAS Training course which can either be delivered at the company’s Milton Keynes Training Suite, or on the site of any garage across the UK as an efficient and cost-effective solution. The training will not only enable vehicle technicians to correctly calibrate ADAS features but also open a new revenue stream for businesses by expanding their service offerings.
Once trained, technicians will be registered on the IMI TechSafe™ register however to remain compliant, continuous professional development (CPD) is required. An estimated 8,000 individuals will need to undertake essential CPD training before next April to remain IMI TechSafe™ registered and ADAS trained technicians must complete 10 hours to maintain compliance.
In a further move to support the industry, last month, Autotech Training launched Autolearn, a dynamic Learner Management System (LMS), to support CPD. This platform offers modular, bite-sized e-learning courses, enabling technicians to remain compliant by undertaking essential CPD training at a time that suits them.