HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Aluminum welding and body and structural repair training for the all new aluminum-intensive Audi TT is being conducted at the I-CAR Tech Centre in Appleton, Wis. over the next six weeks. As part of the launch of the TT training program on January 16, Audi also invited various industry groups to attend and learn more about this soon-to-be-released vehicle. Attendees included executive staff from both Audi of America and Audi AG in Germany, and representatives from various tool, equipment, and supply manufacturers, collision repair business owners and managers, and the insurance industry.

To prepare for the program, I-CARInstructional Designer and Trainer Joel McClung attended a train-the-trainer program conducted by Audi AG in Inglostadt, Germany. Using the train-the-trainer materials received in Germany, I-CAR developed the customized Audi TT training program.

During the training session, technicians will learn about Audi aluminum welding technology and following an extensive aluminum welding session they complete an International Standards Organization (ISO) Aluminum Welding Certification. The remainder of the training consists of: Audi TT body and structural repair, which covers design and construction, damage analysis, structural repair guidelines, riveting and adhesive repairs, cosmetic panel repairs, and a discussion of mechanical and restraint systems. Students are also required to successfully complete a written test for completion of the program.

An online training program and CD-ROM was also produced to support the hands-on training session for technicians within the Audi Aluminum Collision Repair Network, which includes both dealer and independent collision repair facilities. A total of 50 technicians will be trained in one-week sessions over the next six weeks.

“Working with Audi on this vehicle launch has enabled I-CAR to provide collision repair technicians with the required training before the new 2008 Audi TT is released this summer,” says I-CAR Technical Development Manager Jason Bartanen. “Not only are we providing a service to Audi, but we are able to assist the collision industry in understanding the recommended repair procedures for this new aluminum vehicle before its introduction. More importantly, it supports the vehicle owner — technicians working on their vehicle will be properly trained to achieve a complete and safe repair.”