RACQ leads charge with EV skills training

RACQ leads charge with EV skills training | Insurance Business Australia

Motor & Fleet

RACQ leads charge with EV skills training

Initiative aligns with Queensland’s transition to sustainable transportation options

Motor & Fleet

By
Roxanne Libatique

RACQ is spearheading an initiative to prepare its workforce for the burgeoning electric vehicle (EV) sector.

The insurer’s technicians are set to participate in an apprenticeship program at TAFE Queensland, aimed at mastering EV-specific skills, including the process of safely deactivating these vehicles for maintenance purposes.

Mark Boswell, general manager for assistance, automotive, and solar at RACQ, emphasised the critical nature of the training.

“We want to be there for our members no matter what they drive, and that means our patrols and mechanics must possess the skills to service electric vehicles, especially as we grow our fleet of EVs too,” he said. “TAFE Queensland’s EV Apprenticeship is nationally recognised and will teach our people to safely and efficiently service and maintain EVs. It’s an investment in our people and an investment in our ability to keep Queenslanders moving as our state transitions to low-emissions transport.”

TAFE Queensland EV Apprenticeship

This training endeavour is meant to provide RACQ staff with the necessary expertise to service and maintain EVs effectively.

Boswell regards this as a strategic investment in the professional growth of their workforce and a proactive step towards supporting Queensland’s transition to sustainable transportation options.

“It’s a big change with electric motors compared to internal combustion engines, so we’ve got complete drive line differences which is a new ball game for us,” he said. “It’s career development, it allows me to be dual trade as I’m already a light vehicle mechanic and as everything is changing, we need to be across the industry.”

Minister highlights Queensland’s zero-emission vehicle strategy

The push for skilled EV technicians is echoed by Queensland’s Minister for Training and Skills Development, Lance McCallum, who highlighted the state’s zero-emission vehicle strategy.

“We’ve got a zero-emissions vehicle strategy here in Queensland that’s going to see at least 50% of all new passenger vehicles be zero emissions vehicles by 2030, and that’s where the job opportunities come for people who are qualified electric vehicles mechanics,” he said. “We’ve been working at making sure there are these training and skilling pathways for Queenslanders to get into rapidly growing industries like electric vehicles and renewables. There’s an enormous amount of opportunity when it comes to the clean energy industry… and we want to get Queenslanders skilled and qualified as quickly as possible to take up these good jobs.”

In response to this emerging need, the Queensland government is rolling out a series of training initiatives in 2024 to bolster the workforce. Meanwhile, RACQ has offered its support for the recent adjustments made by the federal government to the proposed New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES).