Volvo appoints in-house dealer training team

Picture: Mike O’Neill, Tim Knowles and Simon Chiu

Volvo Car UK has created its own regionally based product-training specialists.

The three trainers will be on-site at the manufacturer’s retail network of more than 120 dealerships, working with both sales and aftersales departments to further enhance product knowledge and expertise.

Tim Knowles, Simon Chiu and Mike O’Neill make up the team, who have been brought together by learning and development agency RTS Group. RTS will oversee the three, but they will be working directly for Volvo.

As well as product training, the team will get involved in product launches and handovers.

Stuart Rudd, account director with RTS Group, said this was a new approach for Volvo.

“Previously, product training has been delivered by external consultants. This approach, to have an in-house team, offers a more consistent and joined up offering for the UK retail network,” he said.

Knowles covers the East Midlands and South East of the UK. Previously, he has been running his own business, offering sales and product training to a number of different dealer groups and manufacturers.

Chiu works with dealerships across the south of England. His first job aged 16 was as a technician and parts apprentice at a Volvo dealership, and he has worked with the brand ever since.

O’Neill covers Scotland and parts of northern England. His career started in the Army but when he left the services he became a driving instructor, then moved into automotive product training.

Paul Brooks, Volvo Car UK’s dealer training and development curriculum manager, said: “Today’s Volvos are extremely technically sophisticated from Intellisafe and vehicle connectivity to hybrid power trains.

“Having well trained product specialists in our dealer businesses is vital to ensure that our customers and prospective customers fully understand the unique and wide-ranging benefits our products offer them.”