Thatcham Research has long been recognised as one of the leading and most innovative training providers to the automotive repair industry.
However, it is now pushing the boundaries even further with a new virtual training experience that combines practical learning with all the convenience and cost benefits of remote communications.
Speaking at ARC360’s Gaining Ground Together event, which was held at The Manufacturing Technology Centre in Coventry last month, Dean Lander, Head of Repair Sector Services, Thatcham Research, suggested that for too long training has been constricted by the either/or conundrum – either practical or theory.
He said that while there is room for both and both still offer invaluable benefits, the future of skills development will merge the two together.
Dean explained, “Typically we’ve sent delegates off to a training centre for a few days to learn new skills, then they come back to the bodyshop and immediately continue working. But as soon as they return they have lost access to the trainer and the information and insights he or she can still provide. All the delegate has is the information they have retained.
“Blended learning gives you the opportunity to change that quite significantly by combining practical and digital learning together, providing access to the trainer on site when the delegate needs it.”
Blended benefits
Apart from the obvious benefits of this interactive and convenient training model, it reduces cost and travel time, while also supporting the bodyshop meet its capacity challenges as the technician is not away from site for an extended period of time.
This sort of blended learning approach has been developed by Thatcham Research through its renowned Automotive Academy over the last five years. It was accelerated during Covid-19 and capabilities enhanced following a partnership with Microsoft, but now Thatcham Research is planning to take it one step further by introducing HoloLens virtual reality, which it believes will revolutionise the learning experience.
Virtual reality
Through a live demonstration, it showed attendees to the event how delegates around the country can join an online training session during which the instructor is fitted with a VR headset. This enables them to see exactly what he or she can see as they are assessing a damaged vehicle. In this way, damage can be identified and correct repair methods discussed interactively.
Meanwhile, relevant documents are included in a shared folder, delegates can highlight areas on screen and interact directly with the instructor, and sessions can be recorded to rewatch at a later date.
Dean said, “This innovates training completely, creating an entirely virtual environment. The delegates see what the instructor sees and are able to dip into this virtual space whenever they want, getting all the benefits of actually being in the room.”
He said that not only does this heighten the learning experience, but it improves it as it taps into all the different ways an individual absorbs news information.
Dean concluded, “Learning is a two-way interaction – the instructor and delegate are in it together. In the past training has been at a dedicated time and a dedicated place. But this will change all that, making learning new skills that are critical to the future of the industry accessible anywhere, anytime, at the convenience of the learner and their employer.”
ARC360’s Gaining Ground Together 2022 event was sponsored by GT Motive and OSCA, and supported by ARC360 Corporate Partners: Solera Audatex; BASF; BMS; CAPS; Copart; EMACS; Entegral; Enterprise; Innovation Group; Mirka; Nationwide Vehicle Recovery Assistance; and S&G; along with Partners: Repairify; The Green Parts Specialists; Indasa; and Prasco UK; and Associate Partners: Gemini ARC; Trend Tracker; and Thatcham Research.
