The training will be delivered to ESFM vehicle technicians and related staff to upskill them in preparation for the Police and Fire Service fleet vehicles using electric/hybrid powertrain technology. UK forces are already trialing three Tesla police cars as they look to move to 100% ultra-low emissions new vehicles by 2030.
This training is vital as it raises awareness of high voltage systems to maintenance staff as well as vehicle recover and roadside assistance personnel.
Recent publicity from the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) states that only 6.5% of current vehicle technicians are qualified to work on high voltage vehicle systems. However, employers have the responsibility under the Electricity at Work Regulations to ensure employees have sufficient knowledge and experience to work on electrical systems. The IMI also go on to say the UK could have a shortage of 35,000 EV skilled workers to meet the government’s push to electrify the UK’s vehicle parc from 2030.
Lincoln College are committed to plugging the skills gaps in this industry. Pete Jackson, Learning and Skills Lead for Automotive Engineering at the College says: “It’s great to see the emergency services embracing low emission solutions to their fleet as well as making sure their workforce is correctly trained to safely work on such vehicles.
“At Lincoln College, our Electric Avenue – electric/hybrid vehicle workshop has everything needed to train and upskill the automotive workforce to IMI Level Four.
“This safe and well-equipped workshop with its EV-trained staff, includes professional training rigs which are both low and high voltage and current full electric vehicles to work on.
“We are working with the IMI to develop the TechSafe Professional Register and its Continued Professional Development (CPD) requirements and are looking to offer additional EV CPD courses to further support the Automotive Industry.”
Find out more about the Electric/Hybrid vehicle training at Lincoln College and apply here.
