Training provider RTS Group has launched a new business aimed at incorporating the latest technologies such as smartphones into automotive training.

The group's own statistics predict a 300% increase in the use of technology to support learning in the next three years. 

Richard Wells, managing director of RTS Group, said he believed it was leading the field in automotive eLearning, including the use of podcasts, webinars, iPhone and iPad applications in addition to web-based training.

“On its own eLearning isn’t a panacea but as part of a blended solution, which includes traditional face-to-face training, it’s extremely effective, particularly at a time when dealers are looking to keep a lid on costs.”

For dealers, the attraction is having staff trained at their desks, or at home without having to take time out of the business.

The new company, RTS eSolutions, will be headed up by managing director Kevin Wise.

He said: “It’s an exciting time to be in this field. New possibilities are opening up all the time. It’s our job to work out how best to use those to give real benefits to clients and end users and not get carried away with technology for technology’s sake.”

Wise said he could see many more uses for eSolutions for the automotive sector, other than just training, such as providing reporting tools and training needs analyses.

The phone apps aren’t limited to providing distance learning. RTS also offers iLearn and iTour apps, both learning solutions which delegates can use on training courses they have to travel to.