ZF Services UK opens Technical Training Centre

ZF Services UK, the UK after sales business unit of the global driveline and chassis technology company ZF Friedrichshafen AG, has opened a new Technical Training Centre to meet growing demand from distributors and customers for its expertise. The centre, at Crick, Northamptonshire, comprises a classroom and fully equipped workshop with ramps, ZF-Testman diagnostic equipment and specialised tools, plus a variety of vehicles for practical demonstrations and for technicians to work on.

Training is given in groups of eight and 10 with the majority of courses IMI (The Institute of the Motor Industry) accredited. Delegates are given a formal test at the end of their one or two-day session.

Some 28 separate training sessions for the Car market are planned throughout 2015, covering topics including clutch, dual mass flywheel (DMF), steering and suspension, 6 HP transmission and ‘bumper to bumper’.

Another one specifically on hybrid vehicles will be run in conjunction with Nottingham College.

For ZF Services UK it is of prime importance to offer a balanced mix of theory and practice while also focusing on the product itself within the course content.

The number one priority is ensuring that the technicians undergoing training improve their knowledge and learn skills and techniques that can be applied to their day-to-day business.

Each member of the ZF Services UK Technical Training team has the relevant in-depth knowledge that will provide support for garage workshops in the best possible way. Additional information is available for technicians from independent workshops who have signed to the ZF Services [pro]Tech workshop concept.

Training is also being offered for the Commercial Vehicle sector, with 16 modules earmarked to cover clutch/DMF, AS Lite, AS Range, steering and suspension, Servocom and LCV E Tronic.

Wayne McCluskey, ZF Services UK technical training manager, said: “Vehicle systems are becoming increasingly complex. If you don’t know fully what you are doing, then you risk creating problems, let alone solving them.

“Because of their complexity you have to have access to specific technical information, detailed data and the right training to do the job properly, and that’s what we offer here at Crick.

“Through the expertise of the whole ZF Group as an OE manufacturer we have deeper understanding and knowledge of the products, plus potentially even sensitive information, that trainers with a general training scheme provider will not have.

“We have always provided technical training but this new bespoke workshop will allow us to do a lot more; it’s something our distributors and customers have increasingly asked for and were delighted to have provided it for them.”

While currently focused on cars, the workshop has room for expansion and the aim is to also use it for the Truck, Bus and other markets in the near future, said McCluskey.