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The Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation

Autotech Recruit announces significant investment plans to drive up industry’s EV training

Date: Wednesday 25 November 2020

With the news that the ban on petrol and diesel car sales has been brought forward to 2030, as part of the Government’s climate change pledge, the automotive industry is gearing up for a substantial rise in electric vehicles sales. In a bid to support the transition within the aftermarket, Autotech Recruit is announcing the launch of its most significant EV training initiatives to date, under the umbrella of its newly launched brand - Autotech Training.

By the end of next year, EVERY contractor working full time within Autotech Recruit’s network of temporary vehicle technicians and MOT testers will be trained to a minimum Level 2 Hybrid & Electric Vehicle IMI standard.

The company is also further increasing its investment within EV training for the industry as a whole by building a dedicated EV Training Suite, complete with an electric car to deliver hands-on training, within its Milton Keynes headquarters.
Delivering EV courses from basic awareness for companies electrifying their fleet, to vehicle technicians looking for Level 2 and 3 IMI accredited training, the unique, EV Training Suite is set to be a significant step forward for Autotech Training.

The EV Training Suite will also complement Autotech Training’s current, on-site EV training programme which can be delivered on the premises of any garage or business looking to equip their employees with the relevant knowledge, while keeping their time away from business to a minimum.

Autotech Group CEO Gavin White, who joined the Institute of the Motor Industry’s (IMI) TechSafe™ Sector Advisory Group to help drive forward the Electrified Vehicle Professional Standard during the summer comments:

“Demand for electric vehicles has doubled in the last year and manufacturers are increasing their investment in the build of these cars. But the percentage of vehicle technicians sufficiently trained to safely service electric vehicles is nowhere near where it should be.
"We are aware of the pressure the entire aftermarket is under to deal with repairs and maintenance of the batteries and high-voltage electrical components within these vehicles, and this is set to be intensified unless training measures are put in place.”

Autotech Recruit is currently investing in its network of over 450 temporary vehicle technicians and MOT testers with free EV training for all full-time contractors, and subsidised training for part-time contractors, to ensure they are equipped with the relevant skills to fulfil labour gaps across the country:

“We have already seen an uplift in the number of enquiries for temporary vehicle technicians trained to service electric vehicles.”
This is a big commitment from us in terms of investment, but we are dedicated to safeguarding our contractors and creating a strong, fully skilled network to support the entire industry.”

The EV Training Suite, which is set to be completed in time for the company’s 10th birthday celebrations in early December, will be supported by key Autotech partners, including BP Chargemaster, the IMI TechSafe™, Haynes Pro Technical, Bosch, Our Virtual Academy, Autogem and Teng Tools.

“Currently around just 5% of UK automotive technicians are adequately trained to work on electric vehicles”, added Steve Nash, CEO of the IMI. “That means the ramp-up plan for all those who are likely to work on electrical vehicles – from service and repair technicians to those working in the roadside recovery and blue light sectors – needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency. It’s, therefore, encouraging, to see the investment being made by Autotech Recruit to tackle this challenge.
The IMI TechSafe™ standards, endorsed by OLEV at the end of 2019, mean that electrified vehicle users can access the IMI Professional Register to check the electric vehicle technical competencies of technicians at their local garage. And Autotech Recruit’s efforts will help towards the critical mass of technicians qualified.”