Apple Certified Technician Repair Training Program
Apple’s iPhone repair program for independent stores expands to Europe and Canada
Apple’s Independent Repair Provider Program, which allows
businesses to purchase genuine Apple parts to perform iPhone repairs without
having to become a full-fledged Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP), is
expanding to Canada and 32 countries across Europe, the company has announced.
The program launched in the US last year, and Apple says that 140 businesses
with a total of 700 locations have signed up since.
The program is important because it gives independent shops
access to certified Apple parts at the same cost as AASPs, without having to
agree to that program’s stricter requirements, according to iFixit. Genuine
parts ensure “safety and quality” according to Apple, but in some cases, its
products aren’t shy about warning users when non-genuine models are used for
repairs. The program also gives shops access to resources such as Apple’s
library of training courses and repair manuals.
Apple-certified technician training
Joining the program is free, but Apple says that businesses
need to have an Apple-certified technician perform the repairs. A full list of
requirements for businesses is available here, which include requiring that
they have a commercial walk-in location, and must agree to keep Apple’s tools,
training, service guides, and diagnostics confidential.
Although they’re less strict than its AASP agreements, the
requirements of the Independent Repair Provide Program have faced their share
of criticism. A report from Vice criticized the contract that Apple asks shops
to sign, and a source quoted by iFixit raised other concerns about the program,
including the fact that it restricts who businesses can purchase from.
As well as its independent repair program, Apple also says
it’s continuing to expand its Authorized Service Providers program. There are
currently 5,000 AASPs worldwide, according to Apple, and last year it tripled
the number of locations available in the US compared to three years ago when
Best Buy joined the program.
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