Frank Massey delivering HELLA Training Academy courses

March 11, 2016

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The HELLA Training Academy is now utilising the services of leading UK technical trainer Frank Massey to deliver its advanced automotive technician training courses. Frank is one of the best known and respected names in automotive aftermarket training and brings a huge amount of knowledge and expertise to the courses which take place at the Training Academy in the HELLA Ireland HQ in Santry.

Academy Training Coordinator, Michael McDermott, says, "We are delighted to have Frank onboard as one of our specialist trainers. His technical knowledge is second to none and he has a great ability to present information in terms that technicians can easily relate to.”
Frank has agreed to deliver courses for the HELLA Training Academy, with a schedule now in place until August 2017. The courses are designed to meet the specific needs of the Irish aftermarket and cover various technical aspects of vehicle systems and diagnostics. They are open to all technicians and garage operators.

Frank has been one of the pioneers of automotive technical training in the UK, having first started training in 1990. He combines his training activities with running a busy workshop, so is always in touch with practical market developments. He says the need for automotive technical training among technicians has never been greater but does have concerns that too few technicians in both the UK and Ireland are taking the need for training on board. He comments, "Vehicle systems are becoming increasingly complex and with manufacturers compelled to reduce emissions still further, this complexity will only increase. It means that independent garages will be presented with more and more vehicles which they cannot diagnose or fix unless they do something to bridge their skills and knowledge gaps.”

Frank also has a warning for those who think that the internet can provide all the necessary answers. He says, "When faced with a problem many technicians turn to the internet for information. It is a great resource, but you have to realise that the information on websites is not always entirely accurate and it is all too easy to go off on the wrong track and make a completely false diagnosis of a problem. This can lead to some very costly mistakes and the loss of loyal customers.” He adds, "To fix something properly you need to have an understanding of how the system really works and you can only really get this through practical training.”

At a business level Frank believes that many independent garages are already losing out on work because they have not woken up to the need for training. He points out, "There are certain tell-tell signs that a garage needs to look at technical training such as turning away work and increased subcontracting. Also if a workshop is relying on a shrinking pool of older cars for its work, then something is badly wrong.”

Frank also says that the fears many technicians have over attending training courses is unfounded and believes many mechanics and technicians need to value the work they do more highly. "I firmly believe that aftermarket professionals need to respect the industry and the important jobs they do far more. With a modern car you are often working on the same systems as on an air plane but without the safeguards and checks that the aviation sector has in place. Because of this you must have a good understanding of the latest technology and training is a vital part of this.” He adds, "When technicians actually attend training courses for the first time they not only find it enjoyable and rewarding, but it also gives them a greater appreciation of the vital jobs they do.”

Frank has already completed his first training courses for the HELLA Training Academy on Direct Petrol Injection. He will be returning to Ireland on a monthly basis with the next 3 scheduled courses being: