COLEG CAMBRIA'S new courses are tailored to meet hybrid/electric vehicle demand in the 'green revolution'.

Deeside and Bersham Road, Wrexham learners have been undertaking Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Repair 2 and 3 qualifications to meet unprecedented demand for skilled technicians to work on zero-emission transport.

The new Knowledge and Practical programmes that are to be unveiled in 2022 include electrical diagnostics, electrical testing, and engine management.

Carl Black, curriculum director for Engineering, Automotive and Electrical Technical at Deeside said the time is now for independent garages to shift gears and join the trade’s ‘green revolution’.

Carl said: “We have the facilities, the skills and the expertise to train students and those already working in the industry to meet the needs of motorists, now and in the future.”

“Cambria’s teams at both Deeside and Bersham Road have all undergone extensive training in order to be able to deliver these courses, which is why we believe we are now at the forefront of education and training at a crucial time for the sector.”

He added: “The college has hybrid and full electric vehicles on-site and are in discussions with manufacturers to forge new partnerships to install further cutting-edge machinery and vehicles.

“The facilities are state-of-the-art and a reflection of the environments in which technicians are already working; as advances are made the college will match them to ensure we are always ready – this is a massive change for the automotive sector and will be for years to come.”

Lecturer Charles Jones says in addition to apprentices on the City and Guilds qualification, those already working in the trade can sign up for six-week programmes for free via the Welsh Government’s Personal Learning Account (PLA) programme.

He said: “We are helping the sector prepare for that 2030 deadline from petrol and diesel to fossil-free travel.”

“We have already trained around 40 people and there are many more who want to enrol but given health and safety restrictions and the hands-on nature of the course we have kept cohort numbers relatively small, so they get more out of it. The feedback has been very positive.”

Charles added: “The big names and dealerships in the automotive industry will train people in-house but there are hundreds of independent garages in this region that could be left behind. There is a skills gap, and we are helping to address it.”