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Full speed ahead for local motor vehicle students Motor vehicle students and apprentices at colleges in West Sussex are benefitting from thousands of pounds worth of investment in new training technology. The Chichester College Group has invested over £150,000 on three CarTrain hybrid and electric vehicle trainers and a Block Automotive Hybrid trainer at their colleges – which includes Crawley College. Hybrid and electric cars, specialist tooling and safety equipment has also been purchased alongside these rigs for the two campuses. The number of electric and hybrid vehicles on the UK’s roads has increased significantly in the past two years – almost doubling with an estimated 456,000 zero-emission Battery Electric Vehicles currently registered (according to information published by the RAC). And with no new petrol or diesel cars and vans to be sold in the UK after 2030, there is an urgent need for mechanics to be specialist trained to ensure they are up-to-speed with the latest electric and hybrid technology and understand the safety implications of working on these vehicles. The new CarTrain rigs at Crawley College and Chichester College simulate electric and hybrid cars, enabling motor vehicle students to gain much needed skills while training in a safe environment. These skills can then be further developed on the vehicles themselves to give the real-life experience. All apprentices and Level 3 full-time students on a motor vehicle course at Crawley College will be trained using this new, state-of-the-art technology in a dedicated facility at the campus. The college will also be offering dedicated electric and hybrid vehicle courses to industry. This will provide an opportunity to train current motor vehicle technicians in the maintenance, service, diagnosis and handling of electric and hybrid vehicles. Awareness of the dangers involved and the ability to work safely is a key component in being able to maintain this
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Diamond Magazine
There is an urgent need for mechanics to be specialist trained to ensure they are upto-speed with the latest electric and hybrid technology and understand the safety implications of working on these vehicles
style of vehicle while complying with mandatory legislation. Due to the risks involved with the high voltage systems there is a requirement under Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 that only people with the correct qualifications and training should be allowed to work on the electric and hybrid vehicles if there is any need to interrupt or work near the high voltage systems. Andrew Green, Chief Executive at Chichester College
