Nov 10, 2021
Halfords urges UK government to train mechanics for shift to electric
The head of one of the UK's largest car servicing business has called on the government to help fund the recruitment and training of thousands more mechanics in order to service the growing number of electric vehicles. Halfords intends to recruit and train 2,000 technicians by March 2022 and a further 2,000 by the following year, but those numbers include people working on e-bikes and scooters as well as cars. The number of electric vehicle services performed by Halfords Autocentres more than doubled in the six months to October 1 compared with the same period two years ago, before the pandemic. Stapleton pointed out that outside Halfords and other nationwide chains, such as Kwik Fit and National Tyres and Autocare, the car servicing market was dominated by small independent operators that might not have the resources to scale up their electric vehicle capability quickly enough. The Department for Transport said it recognised that workforces needed the right skills, and that it had "Launched a number of initiatives" and was endorsing "An industry scheme to ensure the UK's mechanics are well trained to repair and maintain electric vehicles".
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