Safety first as Thatcham Academy set to reopen

​Thatcham Research has announced that its Automotive Academy will reopen next Monday (6 July).

Initially, the academy will be open to technicians holding an IMI accreditation that was due to expire during lockdown, who will now be able to attend the site and complete their re-accreditation.

Ahead of the reopening, a number of changes have been implemented to maintain social distancing and protect technicians.

“We’ve taken extra steps to uphold the highest possible levels of safety without impacting our ability to deliver world class training,” said Dean Lander, Thatcham’s head of repair sector services.

“Over recent weeks, we’ve been working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure Thatcham Research is a safe space for colleagues and delegates. Classes have been restructured, the layout of the academy has been redesigned to create more space and we’ve invested in new equipment to make the academy as safe as it can be.”

Ahead of the reopening new safety measures have been implemented, including: the use of digital technology to enable technical demonstrations; reduced numbers of delegates per session; investment in new equipment to create an open plan workshop space; enhanced PPE for all delegates; clearly marked safe routes of travel across the academy building; socially distanced training rooms; frequent cleaning in high traffic areas and daily deep cleaning of all areas.

“Not only are we making sure we have the safest training site with robust ‘Safe Systems of Work’ to shield bodyshop staff, but we have also adapted payment terms to help bodyshops protect their cash-flow and offered eLearning to loyal customers to help them maintain continuous professional development in their teams,” said Lander.

Apprentices are scheduled to return to the academy in September.