Aftermarket training centres play an increasingly important role as garages race to upskill their staff, and LKQ Academy is leading the charge through its network of regional centres.
With the pressure on right across the industry, CAT had the chance to have a peek behind the scenes at the company’s flagship facility in Tamworth during an open day event last week.
“Cars are changing fast,” said Chris Hill, Technical Training Manager UK & Ireland at LKQ Academy, “so we need to upskill our customers. We help them develop the right skills and obtain the right tools to continue being successful in their business.”
As part of its ongoing outreach operations, LKQ Academy has been inviting garages to its six wholly-owned training centres across the country through the summer. Courses cover everything from diagnostics to hydrogen awareness, as well as EV and hybrid courses, air con training and much more. Beyond workshop focused courses, there is also business training, including digital marketing, workshop management and service advisor courses.
Market potential
Supporting the overall LKQ Academy offering are partners who provide specific training across a number of areas. LKQ Academy is soon to add MAHLE to its growing roster of training partners following the recent recruitment of Autowave and VARTA to the fold, CAT can exclusively reveal.
On hand during the day were Kielder, Autel, Laser Tools, Autowave, TEXA and GYS. “It makes a big difference when we can talk directly to end users,” said Mark Fulton, National Account Manager at GYS.
Colin Ledsom, Area Sales Representative at TEXA UK observed: “Businesses coming here can only benefit from learning to use new tools. This will become even more important as technology continues to move forward.”
Garages are also increasingly undertaking specific training around areas such as key programming. Autowave’s Ravi Kotecha explained: “Key training opens up a lucrative, in-demand service. With over 40 million vehicles on UK roads, and most needing a replacement key at some point, the market potential is huge.”
Opportunities
70 garage owners from across the central belt of England were on hand to find out more. Among them was Tim Benson from Oldfields Garage in Leominster. “It's really important to get a feel for what's going on in the sector,” he said. While Benson has sent staff to the facility for training, this was the first time he had visited. “It’s great to see the whole set-up,” he added.
Steve Chambers is the co-owner of the Mini Repair Shop, based in Lincoln. “It's as fantastic as our employees told me,” he said, “and it’s only 90 minutes away for us.” The garage, which also a 1TEC Auto Hub member, is making the most of what LKQ Academy, can offer. “LKQ isn’t just supplying parts; it is actually able to support us with training too, which is absolutely brilliant.”
For Kay Fellows from Stourbridge Automotive, the visit provided an opportunity to see the facilities in person, ahead of sending staff for training from the autumn onwards. “Our team are already doing the online courses,“ she explained. The garage already employs 16 people, and this number is set to grow as the business expands. “Training is crucial for us. We’ve taken on another unit, so we're rapidly recruiting.”
Coverage
Beyond the specifics of the open day, Pete Brookes Divisional Director UK North & Ireland at LKQ Euro Car Parts noted that LKQ Academy represents a key component of the company’s all-encompassing support package for garages: "We’re creating true UK-wide coverage for the LKQ Academy, making our industry-leading, in-person training accessible to most of the country’s professionals in a two-hour drive or less.”
Income generated by LKQ Academy is funding its future too: “We invest all proceeds from the LKQ Academy back into our training, which means all our courses are part-funded to provide great value for customers.”
He added: “It’s the right thing to do to help the aftermarket ecosystem to succeed. If garages and bodyshops have the right skills to prosper, LKQ prospers with them.”
Unprecedented
Technological change and ongoing skills shortages means the whole industry is ramping up training.
Andy Hamilton, Non Executive Director of the IMI and President and Executive Managing Director of LKQ Europe said: “The aftermarket is undergoing an unprecedented period of technological disruption that requires investment into new equipment and skills. Currently, only 24% of the UK’s mechanics are qualified to work on EVs and while this number is growing quickly, we need to ramp up the pace, especially if the 2030 ICE ban is to be reinstated.
Similarly, on ADAS we have just 4,000 trained technicians but will need 156,000 by the end of the 2032.Tax cuts and subsidies – such as the inclusion of L&D in full expensing – are needed to support and incentivise business-critical investments. The risk is that this investment slows down at the worst possible time, as independent garages in particular grapple with finding skilled staff.
“In the UK and Ireland, LKQ Academy offers garages and technicians access to more than 80 IMI and Industry & Guild approved courses across more than 30 training centres, with another 150 courses available online. Our LKQ Academy customer base in this country now consists of more than 21,000 registered technicians, and more than 12,000 seats are available in 2025 across 87 courses – this includes hybrid/EV courses which saw 1,600 sign-ups in 2024.
“At a European level, as part of the European Commission's Mobility Transition Pathway initiative, we have committed to upskilling 24,000 technicians to safely maintain and repair hybrid and electric vehicles across 11 countries by 2028 – an ambitious training target to support the green and digital transformation of the automotive sector across the continent, and key to our pledge to the European Commission’s Mobility Transition Pathway.”
Comprehensive
The training wing of LKQ Academy is one of a host of major organisations making training more accessible to garages through dedicated academies and colleges.
Commenting on what is on offer at Delphi’s 9,000 square foot training centre in Warwick, UK Technical Services Manager Luke Garratt said: “Delphi Academy is the largest aftermarket technician training centre in Europe. We have more than 15 modern vehicles in our workshops, covering a real mix of technologies. Other training aids include a hydrogen internal combustion powertrain rig for hands-on tasks like leak detection and changing injector seals, which requires a special hydrogen purging process, as part of our industry-first hydrogen training course.
“Our IMI-accredited courses focus on real-world applications, covering advanced diagnostics, engine management, braking, steering, suspension and much more. We offer over 30 practical, hands-on face-to-face courses led by industry experts, alongside a comprehensive online learning platform with more than 300 e-learning modules, providing flexible learning options to suit all needs.”
Upskill
ADAS, diagnostics and remote services are the focus at HELLA Academy, as UK Technical Training Manager Steve Fox explained: “We’re running courses like the IMI AOM 230 accreditation for ADAS, which helps technicians get insurance-approved to work on these systems, and our Level 2 Award, which offers a formal Ofqual qualification. These are two-day courses designed to fit around busy schedules, and priced to be accessible to independents.
HELLA Academy is based at HELLA’s UK headquarters in Chipping Warden near Banbury. Training from HELLA doesn’t stop there though. “We also provide free access to vehicle-specific repair instructions and technical insight on HELLA TECH WORLD,” added Fox.
Flexible
Meanwhile, Valeo Tech Academy provides a mix of IMI-certified online and in-person training, including 50 hours on EVs and hybrids and 25 hours focused on ADAS, with a further 45 hours taking in all-makes maintenance and diagnostics,
“Online courses are split into short, flexible modules lasting 5 to 30 minutes,” said Valeo Service UK Managing Director Andy Swann, “making them easy to fit around busy workshop schedules. Training includes pre- and post-assessments to track progress and gamified elements to keep the learning engaging and hands-on.
“For more in-depth training, the academy also offers full-day, in-person sessions using simulators that replicate over 150 real-world repair scenarios.”
Blended
Autotech Training offers technical training, including electric and hybrid and ADAS training at its dedicated centre in Milton Keynes and directly on-site at business premises “Autotech Training has shaped its delivery model around flexibility,” observed Operations Director Alistair McCrindle, “Courses are built around the specific needs of each client, from independent garages to national fleets.
“Through its recent partnership with TOPDON UK, Autotech Training are now uniquely positioned to deliver mobile IMI-accredited ADAS training, making it possible for technicians to gain calibration skills without the need for costly upfront investment in equipment.”
E-learning is also part of the mix: “Autotech Training’s Autolearn blends digital learning with hands-on instruction, making it easier for technicians to learn without disrupting workshop schedules. For many, this kind of flexible, blended training is the only viable route to upskilling.”
The offering continues to develop: “The growing complexity of EV systems has prompted a shift in focus,” noted McCrindle, “reflected in the rollout of new programmes such as our NTDA Licensed EV Tyre Technician course. At the same time, CPD is playing an increasingly central role in helping technicians stay current, particularly in fast-evolving areas like ADAS and EV repair.”
Support
Moving beyond the traditional training model, Schaeffler’s Wrenches & Wisdom campaign was also launched in 2024, aimed at putting the focus on apprenticeships and the sheer range of career and training opportunities available across the automotive aftermarket. The campaign is built around garage site visits, backed up by video content shot during these events and then made available via Schaeffler social media channels.
Garages and organisations that have taken part so far include NLGGTA (North London Garages Group Training Association), Hillclimb Garage, Tyneside Autohaus, Markhams Garage, DC Lomas and Womanic.
Schaeffler’s Sales and Marketing Director Matthew Selby, said: “We created the campaign because we could see the skills shortage in the independent aftermarket and couldn’t understand why garages that were struggling to fill positions were not hiring apprentices. That’s why Schaeffler decided to support apprentices and apprenticeships as much as we can.
“A typical Wrenches & Wisdom garage visit will mainly involve the REPXPERT team providing invaluable clutch system training, as it is a job that even many fully trained technicians find intimidating – let alone an apprentice. However, during our relaxed and informal training days, they’re able to understand the process, ask questions and even assist us during the hands-on sections.”
Accessible
Beyond individual company offerings, sector organisations also provide training to the industry. The RMI Academy of Automotive Skills continues to offer an increasing array of training across its quartet of regional sites, as Commercial Director Paul Darwell explained: “At the RMI Academy, our goal has always been to support the UK’s garage sector by offering practical, accessible and industry relevant training. Our centres in Winchester, Runcorn, Lincoln, and Southam have enabled us to reach technicians across the country. But we are now ready to take that support to the next level.”
Change is on the way. “Our academy in Southam will be closing later this year,” Darwell noted, “and we’re excited to reveal that we will be opening a brand-new, purpose-built training centre in Coventry this autumn. This is a major investment in the future of skills development for the automotive aftermarket, and it’s going to significantly enhance what we’re able to offer.
“The new site will feature more workshop space, state of the art diagnostic equipment, and the capacity to run a wider variety of accredited courses, including EV and ADAS training, which are growing in demand.”
Darwell added: “We expect to train more technicians per year than ever before across all sites. Coventry will be a central hub in achieving that, and we are proud to be equipping the sector with the skills it needs to thrive in a rapidly evolving automotive landscape.”
Professional
Commenting on the IAAF Training Academy, Chief Executive Mark Field said: “The IAAF Training Academy continues to go from strength to strength, and we’re proud to be closing in on 200 learners across the UK aftermarket. What makes the Academy unique is its focus on soft skills, the kind that drive real commercial outcomes in parts sales, aftersales and customer service, and its delivery model, which brings training directly into the workplace.
“Our virtual learning platform, delivered in partnership with ASC WebCoach, makes professional development accessible without the disruption or cost of travel. Learners benefit from structured content built around role-specific competencies, combined with 1-2-1 coaching and real-world assignments. It’s flexible, measurable, and aligned to modern working life.
“Importantly, we’ve now expanded our offer to include physical in-business training for organisations with larger groups of learners. This blended model is already underway with Ring Automotive, who are combining in-person and virtual formats, and we’re delivering sessions for 3D Autokeys and, starting this month, HGV Direct.
“Courses cover everything from proactive sales techniques and complaint handling to field sales and aftersales performance. We’ve also added new topics like workplace awareness, GDPR for sales, and social media for small businesses, all designed to reflect the real-world challenges our members face.”
Go to comments