In response to the growth of hybrid technology within the automotive and motor vehicle sector, Solihull College & University Centre has introduced electric and hybrid vehicle training to their existing motor vehicle provision. The College is now incorporating these newer sustainable technologies into all motor vehicle courses.
Investment has been made to ensure that the automotive training facilities at the College’s Woodlands Campus meet the transition of industry to manufacture and supply hybrid, electric and autonomous vehicles. Vehicles such as the Hyundai Ioniq Premium and Hyundai Ioniq Plugin Hybrid have become part of the College’s fleet. The College now has three motor vehicle workshops with one dedicated purely for hybrid and electric vehicles.
Training has been incorporated not just into the College’s full time teaching but also with the offering of short courses to local garages so that their technicians can upskill. Recognising that technicians in the industry don’t have the correct skillsets to accommodate the technological changes, the College acted swiftly to add it to the curriculum. This is in direct support of the West Midlands Combined Authority aim for local people of all ages to have access to first class education and training.
Existing courses will now also have a focus on the skills required for the manufacture and maintenance of hybrid, electric and autonomous vehicles as well as the related infrastructure.
The College’s response reflects both national and regional priorities within this sector to enable the development and take up of low carbon technologies. With new skills required both within the manufacturing and the motor mechanic sectors, it has become essential that the region has training facilities to upskill the existing and future workforce to be competent in the application of electrical and electronic principles.
Whilst existing mechanical skills will still be required, technicians will now need to be able to work safely with high voltages and complex electronic components.
Rosa Wells, Director of Employment & Skills at the College comments: ‘We have continued to invest in motor vehicle and emerging technologies. We thank GBS LEP for their support in helping us to fund this project. It has meant that we can meet and respond to employers needs to change curriculum if they identify a potential skills gap. The introduction of the hybrid vehicles are a great way to bring the motor vehicle industry and curriculum closer together.’
