GB2394484A - Training facility - Google Patents

Abstract

A technical training facility comprises training rooms 4 and a workshop area 24, which are separated by transparent panels 20, 22 so that the workshop area 24 is visible from the training rooms 4. The workshop area has bays 42, 44, 46 and 48 which accommodate products, such as a motorcars, motorcycles and other powered products, on which training is to be performed. Training is modular, with some work being done in the training rooms 4 and some being done on products in the workshop area 24. This enables a very flexible training programme to be devised.

Description

TRAINING FACILITY AND METHOD

This invention relates to a training facility for training technical personnel, and to a method of 5 performing such training. The invention is particularly, although not exclusively, concerned with training in the maintenance, servicing and repair of powered products, such as motor vehicles.

10 The training of motor vehicle technicians requires both "classroom" training, for example to provide a sound understanding of the underlying construction and function of mechanical, electrical and hydraulic systems, and practical training to provide expertise in 15 component disassembly and reassembly, inspection and diagnosis. In the past, the classroom training has tended to be conducted at an establishment separate from any workshop facility, for example a technical college or other academic institution. If such an 20 institution has a workshop facility, that facility is usually of a relatively basic level, and any practical training will be conducted separately from the workshop training, and will usually be of a "generic" nature.

In other words, any practical training provided by such 25 an institution will not be specific to any make or model of motorcar.

Specific training on a particular motorcar is frequently carried out at the premises of a dealer 30 specializing in the model of motorcar concerned. Where dedicated training facilities are provided, they tend to accommodate only a small number of vehicles, with the result that training is restricted to the specific

vehicle or vehicles present at the time at the facility. According to the present invention there is provided a 5 technical training facility comprising a workshop area and a plurality of training rooms which are separated from the workshop area by transparent panels whereby the workshop area is visible from the training rooms, the workshop area including a zone comprising a 10 plurality of unpartitioned bays for accommodating products in respect of which training is to be performed, each bay being equipped with a respective set of tools for working on a product in the bay, the working area being provided with connection points for 15 services, which connection points are accessible from each bay.

A facility in accordance with the present invention can thus be used to provide an integrated training 20 programme in which classroom activities and practical training can follow one another quickly. Also, the visibility of the workshop area from the training rooms, and the open nature of the workshop area, enables individuals at the facility to remain anchored 25 in practical issues even when undergoing classroom training. Furthermore, the facility may have sufficient bays to accommodate a substantial proportion of the products of a single manufacturer. This enables specific training on a particular product to take place 30 when convenient to the trainee. For example, the bays may be occupied by substantially the full range of motorcars, motorcycles and other powered products of a particular manufacturer. Apart from practical issues during training, this arrangement enhances trainees'

perception of the manufacturer as a whole, improving loyalty and motivation.

Where the products, or some of them, are motor 5 vehicles, the workshop area may be equipped with vehicle lifts, ramps, or other devices for improving access to parts of the vehicles.

The services provided at, or available to, each bay may 10 comprise electricity and/or compressed air. Exhaust extraction equipment may also be provided.

In a preferred embodiment, a corridor or walkway is provided between the training rooms and the workshop 15 area, which corridor or walkway may be bounded on both sides by transparent panels.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of training technical 20 personnel in a facility as defined above, the method comprising performing a programme of modules, at least one module comprising a theory module which is completed in one of the training rooms, and at least one module comprising a practical module which is 25 completed on a product in a bay of the workshop area.

In general, the modules may be completed in any order at the option of the trainee, although, in some cases, completion of a first module may be required before 30 completion of a second module.

The programme may permit the omission of one or more modules for any particular trainee, if that trainee has

already met objectives defined by the module to be omitted. For a better understanding of the present invention, 5 and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawing, which is a plan view of a training facility.

10 The training facility shown in the Figure is designed for the purpose of training technicians in various aspects of the maintenance, servicing and repair of powered products. In this embodiment, the products in question represent the full range of products of a 15 particular manufacturer, and include motorcars, motorcycles, marine outboard engines, all terrain vehicles, garden care machinery and stationary powered products such as electrical generators.

20 The facility is accommodated in a building 2. The Figure shows the ground floor plan of the building, but, at least in some parts of the building, more than one floor may be provided.

25 The training facility comprises a row of training rooms 4 along one external wall 6 of the building 2. A waiting or break out area 8 is provided between two of the training rooms 4, and a further such area 9 is provided at the right-hand end of the row of training 30 rooms 4, as viewed in the Figure. Beyond this second waiting or break out area 9, there is a reception area 10. Access to the reception area 10 is obtained through main doors 12 of the building. A corridor 14 extends from the reception area 10 past the waiting or

break out area 9 and the two endmost training rooms 4.

The corridor 14 ends at a door 16 which provides access to a further corridor which constitutes a workshop viewing area 18. The workshop viewing area 18 extends 5 the full length of the remaining training rooms 4 and the break out area 8.

Access to the training rooms 4 is obtained, respectively, from the corridor 14 or the workshop 10 viewing area 18. The partitions between adjacent training rooms 4 can be folded or removed if larger training areas are required.

The workshop viewing area 18 is bounded on both sides 15 by transparent partitions 20, 22 in the form of glass windows. Consequently, a large part of the remainder of the facility, constituting a workshop area 24, is visible both from the workshop viewing area 18, the training rooms 4 to the left of the door 16, and the 20 break out area 8. The workshop area 24 may have a double-storey height, and there may be a second level of training rooms above the training rooms 4 shown in the Figure. In this case, the workshop area 24 is also visible from the upper level training rooms through 25 transparent partitions corresponding to the partitions 20. The upper level training rooms may be accessed by a walkway corresponding to the workshop viewing area 18, and this walkway may either be open to the workshop area 24, or enclosed by a transparent partition 30 corresponding to the partition 22.

The workshop area substantially lacks any internal partitioning, but it can be regarded as being divided into a plurality of zones. As shown in the Figure,

these zones comprise a power equipment zone 26, a marine engine zone 28, a motorcycle zone 30, a motorcar zone 32 and a component zone 34.

5 A subsidiary area 36, which is separated from the workshop area 24 by a partition 38, may be used for various purposes, such as Lyre changing, car valeting and the demonstration of products to the press. A further area 40 shown hatched in the Figure, comprises 10 various building services, stores, etc. The power equipment zone 26, the motorcycle zone 30, the motorcar zone 32 and the component zone 34 each comprise a plurality of respective bays 42, 44, 46 and 15 48. There are no partitions between the bays 42, 44, 46 and 48. Each bay 42, 44, 46 and 48 is provided with, or has immediate access to, various services required for working on the respective product in the bay. For example, these services may be provided by 20 means of a service module 50 which each comprise electrical power points and outlets for compressed air.

Also, exhaust extraction reels 52 are mounted overhead, these reels comprising a retractable hose for fitting on the exhaust pipe of a product in one of the adjacent 25 bays, the outlets of the hoses being connected to a ducting system for conveying exhaust gases to the exterior by means of extractor fans 54.

The service modules 50 and the exhaust reels 52 are 30 distributed over the workshop area 24 so that each of the bays 42, 44, 46 and 48 has direct access to one of the service modules 50 and one of the exhaust reels 52.

Thus, in general, each service module and each exhaust reel is shared between two adjacent bays. In addition

to the service modules 50, power point modules 56 are distributed over the workshop area 24 to provide additional power points as required.

5 Although not shown in the Figure, each bay 46, and possibly each of the other bays 42, 44, 48, is equipped with a storage cabinet containing tools, diagnostic equipment, and other items appropriate to the product which is accommodated, or to be accommodated, at the 10 bay in question. It will be appreciated that, in the case of smaller products, such as power equipment in the zone 26 and motorcycles in the zone 30, the bays may be less well-defined than in the motorcar zone 26.

15 The workshop area 24 is also provided with ramps or lifts 58 of various kinds for elevating cars when access to the underside is required.

The zone 28 is provided with a pair of cylindrical 20 tanks 60 which are equipped for the mounting of marine engines, so that, for example, the propeller is situated beneath the water level in the tank 60.

The facility described above provides a single site at 25 which a dedicated People Development function can be implemented. This function can embrace all training and development activities over the full range of a manufacturer's powered products. For this purpose, the bays 42, 44, 46 and 48, and the marine engine zone 28, 30 can be equipped with examples of all, or substantially all, models of powered products of the manufacturer in question. Thus, each bay 42 in the power equipment zone 26 is provided with a respective example of a lawn mower, all terrain vehicle, electrical generator, etc.

each bay 44 in the motorcycle zone 30 will be provided with a respective model of motorcycle, and each bay 46 of the motorcar zone 32 will accommodate a respective model of motorcar. The bays 48 in the component zone 5 34 will be equipped with representative components of the products, and in particular of the motorcars, such as engines and gearboxes, as well as rigs which demonstrate the principles of, for example, brake systems and automatic gearbox control systems.

The facility offers the possibility of conducting "Individual Skills Training" (IST) which enables trainees to progress through modular training programmed at their own pace. Each module has its own 15 associated training resources, including both written material and practical work on the products in the workshop area 24, and each module also includes an assessment of competence through which participants can provide their skills and knowledge.

Thus, participants can undertake a written module, or receive classroom instruction, in the training rooms 4, and can then complete a practical module using one or other of the products in the workshop area 24.

25 Furthermore, a group of participants can work together on common modules, and then go on to their own specialist modules as befits their planned job roles.

For example, the specialist modules could relate specifically to power products, motorcycles or 30 motorcars.

In general, the modules may be undertaken in any order, although in some cases a specific order may be required or recommended. Furthermore, each module may state a

defined objective, and may begin with a questionnaire or test intended to establish whether or not a trainee embarking on the module has already met the objective.

If the trainee has met the objective, the module may be 5 missed.

The training facility and training method described above enables trainee technicians, and others concerned with the products in question, to learn in an 10 environment which is product-focussed and generates a thorough understanding of the full range of products offered by a particular manufacturer. The facility thus assists in developing pride of association with the manufacturer.

The facility also provides a site at which other activities, such as leadership training, recruitment, commercial and sales training, IT training, technical training. In particular, some of these training 20 activities may be performed with apprenticeship schemes covering both service and parts issues.

Claims (13)

1. A technical training facility comprising a workshop area and a plurality of training rooms 5 which are separated from the workshop area by transparent panels whereby the workshop area is visible from the training rooms, the workshop area including a zone comprising a plurality of unpartitioned bays for accommodating products in 10 respect of which training is to be performed, each bay being equipped with a respective set of tools for working on a product in the bay, the working area being provided with connection points for services, which connection points are accessible 15 from each bay.

2. A technical training facility as claimed in claim 1, in which the products are powered products.

20

3. A technical training facility as claimed in claim 2, in which the zone is one of a plurality of zones, the bays in each zone accommodating different products of a respective product type.

25

4. A technical training facility as claimed in claim 3, in which the product types comprise motorcars, motorcycles and power equipment.

5. A technical training facility as claimed in claim 30 4, in which the power equipment comprises powered garden machinery, all terrain vehicles, electrical generators and marine engines.

6. A technical training facility as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which at least one vehicle lift is provided in the workshop area.

5

7. A technical training facility as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the connection points comprise outlets for compressed air and electrical power, and inlets for exhaust extraction equipment.

8. A technical training facility as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which a corridor is provided between the workshop area and the training rooms, the workshop area being visible 15 from the training rooms through opposite walls of the corridor.

9. A technical training facility substantially as described herein with reference to, and as shown 20 in, the accompanying drawing.

10. A method of training technical personnel in a facility in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising performing 25 a programme of modules, at least one module comprising a theory module which is completed in one of the training rooms, and at least one module comprising a practical module which is completed on a product in a bay of the workshop area.

11. A method of training technical personnel as claimed in claim 10, in which the order in which modules are completed is variable at the option of the trainee.

12. A method of training technical personnel as claimed in claim 10 or 11, in which each module has a defined objective, and in which a module may 5 be omitted from the programme if the training has already met the defined objective of that module.

13. A method of training technical personnel as claimed in claim 10 and substantially as described 10 herein.