New vocational training launched for E V mechanics
East Ayrshire Council has launched a new vocation training programme as part of the Ayrshire Growth Deal’s ambitions to upskill residents in Cumnock and Doon Valley, enabling them to access employment in the emerging electric vehicle and hydrogen automotive sector.
The pilot project is a key component of the Community Renewable Energy project (CoRE) which will develop new skills pathways in creating a pipeline of skilled individuals aligned to the needs of local employers, who have identified a shortage of skills in this sector.
The first of these training sessions took place this week at Emergency One in Cumnock, with nine mechanics from local garages working alongside staff from Emergency One to gain accredited EV qualifications.
Further sessions are planned throughout March that would see as many as 30 local mechanics gaining much sought-after skills and qualifications in the high growth sustainable transport sector.
Pupils from Robert Burns and Doon Academy will also benefit from this initiative, as Ayrshire College has joined to deliver a vocational schools component, providing introductory skills on hydrogen and electric vehicle engineering to spark interest in the sector and potential career pathways for young people.
Councillor Iain Linton, East Ayrshire Council Cabinet Member with responsibility for Resources and Economy, dropped into Emergency One on the first day of the training programme.
He said: “East Ayrshire Council has a sound partnership with Emergency One, a hugely successful local company which has already launched the careers of many local apprentices, and we are delighted that they are on board with this Community Renewable Energy project.
“One of the main aims of Ayrshire Growth Deal is to boost employment prospects for local people and this CoRE project does just that. This training programme will address skills shortages in EV and Hydrogen automotive technologies and will create a sustainable, multi-year skills pipeline linked directly to local labour market needs.
“It’s great to see our ambitions for CoRE starting to bear fruit as this programme offers young people and local mechanics increased employment and career progression opportunities. Sustainable transport is here to stay, and it is vital that we have a local workforce with the necessary skills to support increased demand across East Ayrshire.”
Steven Bell, Managing Director at Emergency One stated:
“We’re proud to support East Ayrshire Council and the Ayrshire Growth Deal in delivering this important training programme. As a manufacturer at the forefront of zero emission emergency vehicles, we see first-hand the growing demand for skilled technicians in EV and emerging hydrogen technologies.
“By opening our doors to local mechanics and students, we’re helping to build a pipeline of talent that will support both our business and the wider automotive sector across Ayrshire. Investing in skills locally is vital, not only for the transition to sustainable transport, but for creating long-term, high-quality employment opportunities within our community.”
This programme has been jointly developed by East Ayrshire Council’s Skills, Learning & Employability Team and the Ayrshire Growth Deal Team and is funded partly by Growth Deal funding for the CoRE project plus an additional £61,000 awarded by the Transport Scotland HGV Challenge Fund.
CoRE is funded through the Ayrshire Growth Deal with £17 million funding from the UK Government and £7.5 million from East Ayrshire Council.