The Original Equipment Suppliers Aftermarket Association (OESAA) Chairman, Nigel Morgan, is encouraging you to share news of the recently launched OESAA Academy Live with your customers, so they and their apprentices can take advantage of a unique training opportunity.
OESAA Academy Live is a series of free-to-attend events dotted around the UK, which will strengthen the skills of this and the next generation.
Held at IMI-approved colleges, in collaboration with OESAA members, the inaugural event will take place at Lincoln College on Friday 13th and Saturday 14th January, with the next at Castleford College on Friday 24th and Saturday 25th February.
Further dates and venues will be announced in due course.
The format
During Friday’s morning session, a diverse range of presenters will illustrate their career paths, to show potential routes and roles in the industry. In the afternoon, participating OESAA members will hold intimate seminars for apprentices. These will be purposely designed to help further their learning and prepare them for the real-world in the automotive industry.
Meanwhile, on Saturday, working professionals will be able to immerse themselves in 45-minute sessions with those same OESAA members. These will be devised to offer a ‘taster’ of training packages directly available from OEMs.
Doors on Saturday will open from 9am for breakfast and registration, with training getting underway at 10am. The final session will conclude at 4pm.
Which brands are attending?
Brembo, DENSO, HELLA, Laser Tools, MAHLE, Schaeffler, VARTA UK and ZF have all confirmed their attendance at the opening two events, such has been the appetite for OESAA members to highlight the latest technologies and products in their respective categories, as well as offer best practice techniques – whether that be diagnosis or installation.
Brembo’s Siti Abdullah and Dale Reynolds will focus primarily on the various technological advancements of braking. Vehicles are more powerful and heavier than ever, yet the industry demands components be lighter and kinder to the environment – Siti and Dale will discuss whether traditional servicing methods are still valid.
DENSO’s Mike Sadler will present the latest on spark plugs in Lincoln and glow plugs in Castleford respectively, while Schaeffler REPXPERT, Andy Vaux, will offer a masterclass in INA engine systems.
Meanwhile, Ashley Craig from VARTA UK will deliver battery know-how on real-life, everyday challenges faced in the workshop. If technicians can’t find the battery on-board, don’t know how to program/code a replacement battery, or are unsure which technology to fit, Ashley will be there to put visitors on the right path.
Experts from Laser Tools will also be present and will open the doors to their always-popular tech van. They’ll showcase the brand’s vast array of specialist, innovative tools and be ready to discuss visitors’ questions and needs.
“Focus on young people, apprentices and professionals”
Lincoln College Learning and Skills Lead – Automotive Engineering, Pete Jackson, said: “Over the last year, I’ve been working to raise awareness of current technology seen in the automotive industry. This role has been part of my Technical Teaching Fellowship, awarded by the Education and Training Foundation and the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851. Not only has this project raised my own awareness and that of my team, but I have been able to work with other colleges and organisations from both industry and education.
“The OESAA roadshows allow the two-day events to focus on young people, apprentices and those working in the industry. This includes teachers as well as business owners. One thing that is evident is the ‘want’ for information and knowledge from everyone I’ve spoken to. It’s great that OESAA members are taking time out to facilitate these events.”
Nigel added: “As an organisation, we have consistently demonstrated our commitment and passion in bolstering the technical and business acumen of professionals. Autoinform Live, whether hosted in the UK or Ireland, is always a well-supported event, but we are now ready to expand and take this successful model on the road – inspiring today’s and tomorrow’s generations.”
