LKQ Academy is increasing the number of seats available on its electric and hybrid vehicle training courses by 50% this year to help address the aftermarket skills gap.

The automotive training provider is adding 500 new seats across its EV courses, bringing the total to 1,500.

Latest research from the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) reveals that only one in four (26%) UK technicians are qualified to work on electric vehicles, with skills spread unevenly across the regions. It also found the number of technicians gaining an EV qualification in Q3 2025 fell by around 13% compared to Q1 of the same period.

LQK said its increase in training availability reflects strong demand from technicians last year, with workshops looking to future-proof their businesses and stay competitive as the car parc continues to evolve. It also helps tackle the skills gap and ensures independent garages can confidently keep EV and hybrid work in-house.

The LKQ Academy offers EV training programmes at all different skill levels. Among the courses available are the Level 2 and 3 IMI Award in Electric/Hybrid (covering routine maintenance activities, repair and replacement), the Level 4 Award (diagnosis, testing and repair of electric and hybrid vehicles and components), and the ‘Becoming an EV Workshop’ course, which prepares office staff and the workshop for electric vehicle servicing.

Lee Chapman, head of support and LKQ Academy, said: “The IMI’s research highlights a growing challenge for the independent aftermarket with EV capability still limited, unevenly distributed and at risk of falling further behind. If that gap isn’t addressed, more garages will be forced to turn work away or rely on third parties – and that’s not good for independent workshops or motorists.

“We have a responsibility to help close that gap and with LKQ Academy sites located across the UK, we’re able to bring EV and hybrid training closer to workshops in every region not just big towns and city centres. By expanding EV training capacity in 2026, we’re also helping more garages build the confidence and capability to keep work in-house and stay competitive.”

LKQ Academy is also working to tackle the skills gap when it comes to advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).

Recent research shows the UK’s independent aftermarket faces a gap in the UK’s independent automotive aftermarket for ADAS readiness. Two-thirds of garages lack a technician qualified to carry out ADAS calibration and repair work.

To help address this gap, LKQ Academy is cutting the price of its IMI-accredited ADAS AOM230 course, offering it at £499+VAT – the lowest price in the UK. The one-day course equips technicians with the knowledge and practical skills required to carry out ADAS calibrations and correctly interpret vehicle-specific system data, supporting safe and compliant repairs.

Lee Chapman added: “ADAS calibration isn’t just something you think about after a big accident repair. Something as routine as replacing a windscreen, carrying out suspension work or even doing a wheel alignment can disturb a sensor, and once that happens it needs checking and recalibrating properly.”

He continued: “By making this course available at our lowest-ever price, we’re helping level the playing field and giving more garages the opportunity to build the capability they need to carry out calibrations correctly and safely.”