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The calibration room
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The critical skills shortage plaguing the truck transport industry has been given a healthy 'shot in the arm' by Parts Incorporated Africa (PIA), a division of Midas Group, in the form of a Technical Support Centre, specialising in training technicians how to service the latest diesel fuel injection systems.
"The graduates from this centre will form a formidable knowledge base, providing vital skills to an automotive aftermarket which has a shortage of suitably qualified personnel in the growing field of diesel vehicle technical support," says Bruce Farquhar, PIA's Manager: Training & Technical Services. "PIA has become a trade test centre, providing a broad spectrum of support to the OEMs, Midas customers, independents and to the broader South African community."
Computerised diesel test equipment supplied and supported by Hartridge Limited of the UK will enable learners to service the world's leading diesel injection systems including Denso, Stanadyne, Delphi, Zexel, Bosch and Siemens in the near future. "The AVM-2PC and Cri-4 test benches ensure OEM approved repair and warranty channels are adhered to," adds Farquhar.
According to Merseta's Dr Raymond Patel, "our Seta is a leader in closing the skills gap in this industry and this centre is an accredited learning institution entitled to accept learnerships. Merseta plans to train some 24 000 'autotronic' technicians between now and 2014 and to achieve this, we need all stakeholders to make use of the Skills Development Fund and its Discretionary Grant system."
Gearing up for Euro 4
"With accreditation from the OEMs and the major diesel injection unit suppliers, plus the necessary backup which provides the training material covering these brands, specific training modules have been developed to train individuals to be able to handle most technical issues," says Farquhar. "The Diesel Fuel Injection training curriculum has been developed to ensure that technicians will be competent in all aspects of diesel fuel injection repair, from basic diesel principles to the latest technology, including Common Rail, EUI (Electronic Unit Injection) and ECD (Electronic Control Diesel)."
The course content will be of first world standards, Merseta-approved, OEM accredited and led by internationally trained technical instructors, focusing on hands on training (stripping, assembling, testing), but ensuring through theory instruction on both old and new systems a thorough understanding of diesel fuel injection know-how. Sate of the art OEM approved test equipment will be used in this training, Farquhar explains.
Room to grow
The training centre has four dedicated, world-class training rooms, including a Theory Room, where the working principles of the various types of pumps are explained and discussed, utilising audio visual aids; a Clean Room to ensure a dust free environment for the assembly of all Common Rail Pumps, utilising all the correct tools required; a Calibration Room, equipped with the latest test and calibration equipment to cover the various types of diesel pumps found in the South African market, from conventional in line and rotary to the latest EUI and CR technology; and a Rear Workshop for the repair and testing of Hartridge equipment, and the dismantling and cleaning of diesel pumps and turbochargers. Turbo charger warranty claims can also be handled in this area, says Farquhar
From grease to glamour
Speaking at the launch of the training centre, among others, was RMI ceo, Jeff Osborne: "This facility will assist greatly in attracting skills back into the industry, which has been stigmatised as 'too much grease, not enough glamour'. The traditional apprenticeship process of four years is now too slow to meet the demands of this industry and the courses offered here will fast-trtack the certification process of learners. What's more, the high-tech equipment in the training rooms is the very best the world has to offer and will prove to youngsters that if you dig computers, diesel engine diagnostics is the place to be."
Quarantine conditions in the clean room
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The Hartridge test bench is the very latest model.
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The lecture room is equipped with all the necessary audio-visual equipment to effectively teach today's tech-hungry learners. |
Based in Germiston, the centre will boost SA's diesel technician skills pool considerably.
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