New HELLA Academy launches with IMI-accredited ADAS training

HELLA has announced the launch of its Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) approved training facility, the HELLA Academy in Chipping Warden, Banbury.

Initially opening with two IMI-accredited ADAS courses, the new training centre is equipped with a modern classroom and state-of-the-art workshop to blend key theoretical learning with hands-on training.

HELLA Academy’s ADAS IMI AOM 230 course will provide technicians with the insurance approval needed to work on ADAS-equipped vehicles, while its ADAS L2 Award will cover calibration, vehicle alignment, workshop requirements and more.

Steve Fox, training manager at the academy, said: “Leveraging our extensive expertise as an original equipment manufacturer, we’re uniquely positioned to deliver ADAS training. We already provide a wide range of ADAS parts and, through HELLA Gutmann, supply the diagnostic tools, calibration equipment and technical support to service these systems. With the launch of HELLA Academy, we’re now also equipping technicians with formal ADAS qualifications.”

The IMI predicts that 44% of cars on UK roads will be ADAS-equipped by 2030, requiring 106,000 qualified technicians. However, based on current qualification and training trends, the IMI estimates a shortfall of 51,000 qualified technicians.

Fox added: “We’re helping to plug the skills gap. 5% of the UK car parc already features Level 2 autonomy, which means these vehicles can temporarily perform automated driving tasks without any driver intervention. It’s vital that workshops are aware of how widespread this technology is and how such systems are already affecting the jobs they undertake on a daily basis.”

Insurance Industry Requirements (IIR) state that ADAS inspection, realignment and calibration must be considered by technicians following a repair, service or maintenance of any parts that affect ADAS functionality or vehicle geometry.

The launch of the HELLA Academy follows the recent opening of HELLA’s Customer Experience Centre, which showcases the full breadth of the product and service solutions it now delivers to the UK aftermarket.

HELLA Academy places for both of the two-day ADAS IMI AOM 230 and ADAS L2 Award courses are available to book for £500 (+VAT) per person, with further training expected to be added to the offering in the coming months