ILC ARTICLE

New Generation: Joe Baynham

1st August 2023

Tell us about your role, and what aspect of it has surprised you most?

As an Audatex Regional Trainer, there are many responsibilities I am proud to have undertaken in the last two years. This is supported by my 20 years of experience working in the repair industry. My main day-to-day responsibilities consist of delivering a vast range of product-specific training inboth the classroom and remotely to all industry professionals on the use of Audatex software. This also includes developing training coursesthat are fit for the local market and localising standard training material. Furthermore, I ensure content is relevant and regularly refreshed by being a subject matter expert and collaborating with team members.

As a member of the learning and development team at Audatex, the part that has surprised me the most would have to be my own learning journey. The enjoyment comes from the daily interaction had with a diverse group of individuals across the automotive industry and each interaction provides an opportunity to encounter unique perspectives that require me to continuously learn and refine my training approach to meet their specific needs.

What has been your proudest professional achievement, and why? 

Being a finalist at the ABP British Bodyshop Awards 2016 as the Toyota and Lexus Estimator of the Year stands as my proudest professional achievement. I felt extremely honoured to be selected among a highly competitive pool of estimators. I feel this also enhances my professional reputation and serves as a personal milestone in my career progression.

How do you see your role changing in the coming 5-10 years?

Being in such a fast-paced organisation, the roles are likely to experience changes in the upcoming years that may be driven by advancements in technology, undergoing continuous enhancements and updates to stay aligned with industry needs and technological progress.

As a Regional Trainer I need to stay at the forefront of these developments and ensure that our training programs encompass the latest features, functionalities, and best practices by meeting all customer needs through providing a blended learning approach.

What do you see as the industry’s greatest strength, and its greatest weakness?

The industry’s greatest strength lies in its people. There are many skilled professionals who possess valuable expertise, technical proficiency and knowledge allowing them to deliver high-quality repairs and customer service.

On the other hand, my perceptions of the industry’s greatest development falls within the skills gap of our people which is being guided by limited initiatives to attract and retain individuals to the industry.

What does job satisfaction look like to you?

Every day brings job satisfaction as it involves seeing the positive impact that my training delivery has had on the people trained and witnessing their growth and improvements within their skills which brings a sense of fulfillment.

Recognition and appreciation for my contributions also play a significant role in job satisfaction. Positive feedback from colleagues, superiors, or the delegates I train reinforces a sense of accomplishment and motivates me to continue delivering high-quality training.