IAAF Training Academy nears 200 learners

The Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation’s (IAAF) new Training Academy has successfully trained close to 200 aftermarket people from suppliers, motor factors and independent garages as part of the federation’s wider plans to raise standards in the automotive industry.

The IAAF Training Academy, brought to market by ASC WebCoach, was launched with the Proactive Parts Advisor Programme, which is a series of three virtual classroom courses designed for Parts Sales Advisors and Managers, focusing on soft skills and covering areas such as communication, telephone call handling, customer relationship management and complaint handling.

The courses are structured around four 90-minute virtual classroom training (VCT) sessions with work-based assignments, online knowledge checks and unlimited virtual 1-2-1 coaching.

This provides around nine hours of instructor-led training per course delivered directly into the workplace, removing time away from the business and cost of travel, injecting knowledge and skills directly into the workplace.

The initial uptake was strong, reaching over 100 learners in the first few months and close to 200 to date. The course offering has also expanded to cover field sales and aftersales for IAAF’s garage members.

New courses will be added quarterly, based on member feedback. All of the courses are built to a pedagogical framework ensuring learning outcomes are achieved and are also aligned to the role specific competencies required for each role.

This ensures a measurable return on investment in relation to additional sales, reduced returns, improved customer service and sales advisor confidence.

Current courses include key modules as part of the Professional Parts Advisor Programme such as proactive part sales, effective customer relationships and complaint handling. In addition, the Aftersales Professional Programme and the Field Sales Programme are offered. To support greater workplace efficiency, a time management course is also available.

Looking ahead, a number of upcoming courses that will further expand participants’ skill sets will be added. These include workplace awareness, GDPR for sales and social media for small businesses.

Mark Field, IAAF Chief Executive, said: “Our approach to virtual and blended learning is designed to provide learners with access to instructor led content supported by virtual materials and delivered directly into the workplace. This removes the need to travel or take time out of the business and has the added benefit of delivering the learning directly into the workplace.”

Each training course and programme is supported with individual 1-2-1 virtual coaching providing every learner with an individual learning journey.

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