Watt next for electric vehicle training? Logistics UK partners with two colleges to tackle shortfall in technicians with new course

Thursday 15 August 2024

Business group Logistics UK is partnering with City of Bristol College and SMB College Group in Leicestershire to help address the skills shortage in Electric Vehicle technicians by announcing the latest series course dates for a nationally recognised qualification in working safely on electric and hybrid vehicles.

The IMI Level 2/3 Award in Preparing Heavy Electric/Hybrid Vehicles for Repair is a two-day course accredited by Institute of Motor Industry (IMI) and has been designed to give technicians the knowledge and skills to work safely on electric and hybrid heavy goods vehicles while carrying out repairs and testing.

Logistics UK began working in partnership with SMB College Group and City of Bristol College to deliver the Logistics UK Electric Vehicle Training Programme in early 2024, and together they will help address the predicted shortfall in EV qualified technicians which according to IMI will be 16,000 by 2035, as well as futureproofing the workforce as the country transfers to alternatively powered vehicles.

David Jordan, Deputy Director of Operations at Logistics UK said, “The new government pledged in its manifesto to restore the phase-out date of 2030 for new cars with internal combustion engines, so the need for skilled EV technicians has become even more pressing. Both City of Bristol College and SMB College Group’s Stephenson Campus in Coalville are excellent modern facilities that provide the ideal environment and technical equipment to help develop the workforce of tomorrow, and we are delighted to be working with the colleges to host such an important programme for the HGV market.”

Paul Dancer, Director of Curriculum at SMB College Group’s Stephenson Campus, added “We are excited to be working alongside Logistics UK on this vital project to address the skills gap within the Vehicle Engineering industry. It is essential that education providers are linked in to these opportunities to support the industry with upskilling their current workforce. It is also vital for us to ensure that our curriculums are carefully designed so that our learners are educated appropriately to support the future requirements of the industry.”

The new vocational qualification is a two-day course and, following a successful assessment, provides technicians with a nationally recognised award and the practical skills required to work on heavy electric and hybrid vehicles including buses and coaches. Technicians interested in taking this course must possess appropriate heavy vehicle maintenance and repair knowledge and skills at Level 3 or equivalent. More details can be found here:  IMI Level 2/3 Award in Preparing Heavy Electric/Hybrid Vehicles for Repair /   https://logistics.org.uk/evimiaward

Luke Reid, Head of Department - Motor Vehicle and DAF Apprenticeships at City of Bristol College said, “City of Bristol College is very proud to be supporting Logistics UK in the delivery of the level 2 and 3 Electric Vehicle courses at the college. The motor vehicle department works closely with the automotive industry and is acutely aware of the shortage of Electric Vehicle technicians nationwide. Being able to offer flexible dates around the college timetable and help train the current and future workforce is extremely rewarding as it means the college is actively part of the solution. As we look to diversify our own college provision in the future, delivering these courses also enables the college to strengthen its links and partnership with Logistics UK, which is an invaluable source of information and advice. Together we can work to meet the skills requirement for Electric Vehicle sales and the potential reintroduction of the 2030 ban on the sale of traditional combustion engine vehicles.”

Course dates: IMI Level 2/3 Award in Preparing Heavy Electric/Hybrid Vehicles for Repair

Logistics UK is one of the UK’s leading business groups, representing logistics businesses which are vital to keeping the UK trading, and more than seven million people directly employed in the making, selling and moving of goods. With decarbonisation, Brexit, new technology and other disruptive forces driving change in the way goods move across borders and through the supply chain, logistics has never been more important to UK plc. Logistics UK supports, shapes and stands up for safe and efficient logistics, and is the only business group which represents the whole industry, with members from the road, rail, sea and air industries, as well as the buyers of freight services such as retailers and manufacturers whose businesses depend on the efficient movement of goods. For more information about the organisation and its work, please get in touch - here.