Wheel alignment 37 www.aftermarketonline.net DECEMBER/JANUARY 2026 Partnership to put workshop alignment skills on right track UK wheel alignment specialist Supertracker has partnered with Mantra Learning, a national leading logistics and automotive learning provider, to support the next generation of vehicle technicians. The collaboration is part of Supertracker’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) commitment to skills development within the automotive industry. With demand for skilled technicians continuing to rise, the initiative comes at a crucial time when the automotive sector is among the UK’s top six industries for unfilled jobs, with technical roles such as vehicle technicians particularly hard to recruit, according to an IMI labour market briefing released earlier this year. Through the partnership, Mantra Learning students will gain handson experience using Supertracker’s charged-coupled device (CCD) STR420 8-sensor wheel alignment system that’s widely used in workshops nationwide. David Hoad, leading automotive tutor at Mantra Learning, said: “The CCD aligner is a brilliant new addition to our training centre in Manchester and through this partnership, we’re equipping future technicians with confidence, practical skills and job readiness. “Understanding wheel alignment and knowing how to operate the machine is an invaluable skill within any workshop.” Supertracker’s engineers are training Mantra Learning’s tutors on the STR420 to ensure the system is fully embedded into teaching, with students benefiting from features including: O A large, regularly updated vehicle database, ensuring relevance across the latest models; O Simple, intuitive software with built-in help screens which builds confidence; O Quick, efficient setup with a hangon system that maximises workshop efficiency. Andrew Bates, MD of Supertracker, said: “By supporting future technicians with the access to a training machine such as our product, we’re helping to close the skills gap that is impacting our industry. “Training Mantra’s tutors on the STR420 ensures students leave with the confidence and capability to succeed in the workplace. “As an industry, we need to invest in the next generation. Supporting organisations like Mantra Learning is central to ensuring tomorrow’s workforce is equipped with the knowledge and tools they need.” With nearly 40 years of expertise in wheel alignment, Supertracker said it is proud to support the future of the automotive aftermarket. This partnership reflects the company’s ESG commitment to skills development and building a stronger, more sustainable workforce. Meanwhile, the firm has introduced the STR130 Compact and STR420 Compact — a tablet-controlled CCD wheel aligner, designed for modern garages where space is at a premium. Supertracker said the latest model offers all the performance expected of larger cabinet-based systems, but in a far smaller footprint, freeing up valuable workshop space without compromising on functionality. The move to tablet control reflects the growing demand for mobile, flexible solutions that integrate seamlessly into busy workshop environments, the firm said. We’re equipping technicians of the future with confidence Understanding wheel alignment is an invaluable skill
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