Rivus has signed up to IMI TechSafe to equip its technicians to service, repair and maintain alternative fuel fleets.
IMI TechSafe provides recognition of the IMI Professional Register and safe working practice in the field of electric vehicles (EVs) and other safety-critical vehicle systems such as autonomous or advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).
Having IMI TechSafe recognition means that the member keeps up to date through mandatory requirements for continuous professional development (CPD), Rivus said.
Angus McDowall, alternative fuels network manager at Rivus, said: “We’ve already trained many of our technicians to IMI Level 3 or 4 in Electric/Hybrid Vehicle System Repair and run an ongoing programme of training, including our alternative fuel academies for customers.
“However, it's one thing to get a qualification for working on EV’s but to ensure we stay up to date with the emerging technologies that our industry is seeing, we wanted to formalise the process of ongoing professional development, to ensure that our technicians are ahead of the curve.”
Recent data from the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) revealed that the first six months of the year saw the highest number of technicians take an EV qualification that is eligible for IMI TechSafe accreditation since its introduction in 2016.
The number of technicians qualified to work safely on EVs is estimated to be 32,900; the equivalent of just 15% of technicians in the UK.
Steve Nash, chief executive officer of the IMI, said: “With increasing numbers of motorists' transitioning to EVs, it is vital that the infrastructure is in place to service and repair these vehicles safely, quickly and efficiently.
“And the commitment to invest in a continual programme of EV skills training and professional development made by Rivus, and others in the automotive and fleet sectors, is essential to addressing the EV skills shortage we face in the UK, whilst giving motorists the confidence to adopt an electric future.”
In August (2022), Rivus competed the first phase of a project to prepare its service, maintenance and repair (SMR) network for the future needs of EVs.
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