AW Repair Group (AW) has become the first group to complete Thatcham Research’s EV training.

More than 200 technical and non-technical staff have completed the training

One of the UK’s leading accident repair groups, AW was the first to sign up for Thatcham Research’s ‘EV Ready’ training programme in August 2021 and has now been certified across all its sites.

Launched in July 2021, the training addresses the current electric vehicle skills gap in the vehicle repair sector.

More than 200 technical and admin staff across AW have now been classed as ‘EV Aware’. The training, carried out via e-learning modules with tailored content, formed the basis of standardised learning for all staff, in addition to AW’s TecKnowlogy Centres that already specialise in repairing EVs.

Technical teams have also completed a Level 3 qualification to ensure EVs can be safely managed across all sites.

Steve Hoe, technical development and VM executive at AW Repair Group, said: “Although we already have several TecKnowlogy Centres specialising in EVs, Tesla and multi-material repair, we felt it was really important for all the team to have certified EV awareness, particularly as we are now seeing an increase in EV offerings across the whole of the car parc.

“Knowing the safety precautions to take when near a ring-fenced EV repair in progress or simply being able to talk competently with an EV driver are just two simple side benefits of the EV Ready certification.”

AW is one of several major repair groups, along with other claims supply chain businesses, that are on the journey to becoming EV Ready.

Dean Lander, head of repair sector services, Thatcham Research, commented: “It’s been a huge pleasure to award AW with its EV Ready certification. As a progressive, agile business, AW quickly recognised the need, and opportunity, to upskill all staff who might come into contact with an EV.

“Now AW has become the first to complete the EV Ready programme, its customers can bank on meeting well-informed individuals with a strong working knowledge of EVs, across all touchpoints.”