East Riding College is set to become one of the first colleges nationally to offer a range of courses about hybrid vehicle technology.
From September, it will offer three courses which start at general awareness raising of the technology and move up to more complex qualifications for those who will need to work on hybrid vehicles.
Tutors hope that the courses, as well as appealing to motor mechanics and vehicle recovery firms, will be useful to the emergency services, who may have to deal with accidents involving hybrid vehicles. They will be offered at the College’s Beverley and Bridlington campuses.
Dave Skelly, head of curriculum area for engineering at the College, said: “The ever-increasing popularity of hybrid cars and vans means it is essential for motor vehicle professionals and people in other sectors to develop their knowledge in this area.
“The safety and technological features in hybrid vehicles and the hazards they present are different to traditional vehicles and these courses will give people the knowledge they need to stay safe when working with the high voltage electrical systems associated with hybrid vehicles.”
Two of the courses being offered by the College – the Level Two Award in Hybrid Electric Vehicle Operation and Maintenance and the Level
Three Award in Hybrid Electric Vehicle Repair and Replacement – have been developed by the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI), in consultation with Honda, Toyota and BMW.
In addition, the College is offering its own short course to provide knowledge and skills essential for members of the emergency services and other people who may need a basic understanding of the technology.
