THE Motor Workshop
Industry Association (Miwa) has launched a training course to qualify mechanics
as master mechanics.
Les McMaster, chair of the association, said diagnostic equipment assisted mechanics to a certain extent, but it could
only do so much. Which is why Miwa approached training company Delmar, based in
the U.S., two years ago to host its ground-breaking automotive technician training programme
in South Africa.
McMaster said the association now offered a distance learning
Master Technician training programme that teaches a list of 13 aspects covering
the latest technology in cars from bumper to bumper.
The course features both online pre- and post-assessments, and
skill-based CD/DVD training courses, reference books and hands-on exercise
manuals.
Designed to be completed within three years, it is divided into 12
subjects, with a maximum of three months allowed per subject.
Enrolment requires the student to already have qualified as a motor
mechanic, diesel mechanic, automotive electrician, automotive machinist, diesel
fuel injection mechanic or diesel fitter. Once the student has completed a
preliminary exam to prove he or she has enough basic knowledge, the online or
CD-based curriculum is accessed using a personal identification code.
Depending on the number of chapters per module, students are
required to do a series of examinations, usually four or five, before they can
apply for a final end-of-module two-hour test that is completed online.
The results are available within five minutes to an hour. The
course demands a minimum 80% pass rate.
The material is updated annually as technology advances, so
students are assured of being exposed to the latest industry developments.
The costs is R2 010 per subject including VAT and mechanics can
enroll for single subjects.
Miwa currently has 36 students enrolled on the programme and
McMaster says the association expects that the numbers will grow in the near
future. For more information, log on to www.rmi.org.za
Subjects offered
• Electricity and electronics
• Heating, ventilation and air-conditioning
• Suspension and steering
• Fuels, emissions and exhausts
• Brakes
• Advance engine performance
• Service consultant
• Manual transmissions and clutches
• Automatic transmissions
• Engine repair
• Engine performance
• Basic automotive service and maintenance
