Veolia has partnered with Autotech Training to implement the UK’s first approved technician training scheme for electric vehicles (EVs).
The scheme will address the anticipated shortfall of 16,000 EV trained vehicle technicians to help the decarbonisation of fleets.
Veolia fleet director Gary Clark said: “As we look to achieve a net zero fleet by 2040, we know that maintenance is vital, and to keep our electric vehicle fleet operational we need to have fully staffed workshops that can keep vehicles on the road to make full use of them.”
Subscribe to Sustainability Beat for free
Sign up here to get the latest sustainability news sent straight to your inbox everyday
To the new qualification will enable technicians to work safely on all aspects of high voltage systems associated with the latest EVs.
Technicians will gain the knowledge and skills required to work on heavy electric and hybrid vehicles and will be fully qualified to carry out operational and repair activities including replacing parts. This can include vehicles that may have damage to their high energy systems, and ensures every technician is safeguarded against the dangers of working on, or around EVs.
“Keeping and expanding this skilled workforce, and offering varied career paths, has required a multi-faceted approach covering training and upskilling existing team members, and providing apprenticeships for the teams of the future, added Clark.
The training will add to Veolia’s fleet decarbonisation which supports the company’s aim to become the benchmark for ecological transformation, by tackling climate change, resource depletion, biodiversity collapse, and pollution.
