Yanmar Europe Learning Academy Moving Forward
At Yanmar Europe, the Learning Academy is stepping up to support future growth in Africa and the Middle East. To help local distributors and engineers succeed, Raymond Weijenberg, Learning & Development Specialist at Yanmar, is developing a brand-new training program for Eco Governor engines. At the same time, he is also improving the way trainings are evaluated, ensuring that insights from participants are used to continuously refine and strengthen each program. Raymond:
Our engines hardly ever break down. That’s great for reliability, but it also means that many engineers have little experience with troubleshooting and repairs. That’s why it’s important to get them proper training.
Powering Africa and the Middle East
Yanmar offers a wide range of industrial engines, from proven workhorses to the very latest technology. At the top end is the 4TN107 series, a 4.6 L diesel engine built to meet the toughest emission standards like EU Stage V and other developed-market regulations. While the new models are built for countries with strict emission rules, Yanmar’s older models are still a perfect fit in places like Africa and the Middle East where emission requirements are more flexible. They offer proven technology that’s tough, reliable, and cost-effective.
Building Local Knowledge
Reliable engines are essential, but equally important is making sure there is enough knowledge in the region to keep the engine running. The local distributors act as knowledge hubs for their dealer networks. That’s why the train-the-trainer program is vital. It ensures expertise is built locally and can be shared widely. Raymond:
When the Eco Governor engines were first introduced in Europe, online training simply didn’t exist. Now that online training has become standard, it makes sense to add this missing piece, and develop a structured digital part for troubleshooting and repairs. Not just for catching up, but as a real opportunity to strengthen local expertise for the long term.
Distributors, Dealers and Durable training
The new training directly supports Yanmar’s growth strategy in Africa and the Middle East. As the Sales department works to bring new distributors on board and build strong dealer networks, training becomes a key investment. Raymond’s program equips distributors with the technical expertise they need from day one to succeed.
The program launches in December with a selected group of distributors, starting with an online module followed by 2 days of on-site training. This blended approach combines flexibility with practical, hands-on experience. And because training is never truly finished, Raymond is also looking ahead at how to evaluate and improve the program for the future.
Continuous Improvement Through Honest Feedback
Developing new training is only the beginning, making sure it really delivers is just as important. That’s why Raymond is also sharpening the evaluation process. Now he collects detailed feedback from distributors through questionnaires. The next step is to have those distributors pass the surveys on to the engineers they train, so feedback flows through the entire network. As Raymond puts it:
Launching a new training is always exciting. But for me, the real question is how well the knowledge lands. Not just with the distributors, but also with the dealers. That’s why I want honest feedback at every level, so we can keep improving and make sure our training really delivers. After all, good engines need good knowledge. That is what we are building together.