PMM visited Valeo’s site near Budapest in Hungary, where the firm announced the launch of its new EV and ADAS training academy.
Valeo has unveiled its new training offering, Valeo Tech Academy, and the digital and in-person IMI-certified courses being offered through the new platform are set to help reduce growing sector skills shortages, particularly around EVs and ADAS.
“Through Valeo Tech Academy,” said Andy Swann, managing director at Valeo Service UK, “we are offering tailor-made solutions to prepare mechanics to diagnose and repair EVs and those equipped with ADAS.”
Valeo Tech Academy has launched in the UK pre-loaded with 50 hours of material covering electric and hybrid vehicles, taking in security basics, advanced diagnostics and troubleshooting. ADAS-centred content adds a further 25 hours of training.
The strong EV and ADAS focus reflects concerns over the growing skills crisis in the sector. While 13 per cent of vehicles on UK roads are now equipped with ADAS systems, just two per cent of techs are ADAS-qualified according to figures from the IMI. When it comes to EV skills, the IMI is predicting a shortfall of 3,000 technicians by 2031.
The new platform is not brand-specific and offers wide ranging training, with 45 hours of material dedicated to routine maintenance and repair solutions. “Valeo Tech Academy will provide training covering all automotive systems and brands, not just Valeo products. This will ensure a comprehensive learning experience across the entire automotive landscape.”
Individual sessions last between five to 30 minutes. “This means mechanics can learn at their own pace and at any time of the day. The program also includes pre- and post-assessments to ensure measurable skill improvements. Sessions incorporate immersive interactive gamified content too.” said Andy.
Valeo Tech Academy also provides face-to-face sessions, including one full day on ADAS or EV training. “Our in-person sessions are based on simulators that allow mechanics to engage in over 150 real-life repair scenarios,” said Andy. “Unlike traditional training programs that often focus on a limited set of problems tied to a single vehicle type, our simulator-based sessions cover a wide range of repair scenarios. This allows mechanics to gain practical experience across various makes and models.”
“In workshops, 60 per cent of time is spent on diagnostics, yet many assessments are too slow or inaccurate, leading to driver dissatisfaction and lost productivity. Our new simulator-based training enables mechanics to quickly identify issues and sharpen their problem-solving skills, leading to faster, more accurate diagnoses”
The company wants to make Valeo Tech Academy accessible: “Courses are competitively priced,” said Andy, “featuring innovative payment options, including the choice to purchase individual modules or subscribe to flexible monthly or yearly plans.”
A visit to Budapest
PMM were invited out to visit Valeo’s Veszprem site in Hungary, where the team behind the new academy first revealed it to us and explained why they were moving into training. According to Valeo, one in two mechanics neither maintain nor repair electric vehicles, and 62 per cent do not work with customers’ ADAS systems. The Hungary plant specialises in the production of high-voltage technologies and systems for on-road electric vehicles: including hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and fully electric vehicles. It’s been supplying brands such as BMW, Mercedes, Renault, Volvo, and Volkswagen since the plant began operations in 1993. Today, the plant manufactures e-motors, eAxles, onboard chargers (OBC), inverters and DC/DC converters.
