Nick Connor, chief executive officer of the Institute of the Motor Industry, said: “The latest data from the SMMT shows that government and industry actions are having the desired effect of increasing EV uptake.
“Now it is critical that the increase in demand is matched with an acceleration in skills training.
“The latest IMI TechSafe data revealed that only one in four UK technicians are currently qualified to work on electric vehicles, raising concerns about the sector’s readiness to support growing EV adoption.
“However, it’s easy to understand why the sector is not moving at the same pace on skills as EV adoption. Automotive businesses are battling a number of challenges, not least of which there’s still a significant pool of ICE vehicles that must be maintained.
“So investing in new EV skills can sometimes seem like a future need rather than what’s required today.
“Targeted government support for training and upskilling is essential to ensure the UK has the capability, confidence and safety standards needed to deliver net zero.
“The IMI continues to work with industry and training providers to expand EV qualifications and support technicians in gaining the skills required for the transition.
“Together, with the right investment in people as well as technology, the UK can lead the way, but skills must be treated as a core part of the infrastructure.”
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