Box Hill Institute has enhanced its automotive apprenticeship program by incorporating training for electric and hybrid vehicles, attracting interest from major dealerships and elevating its standing among students.
About the initiative
The automotive industry is witnessing a significant shift as electric and hybrid vehicles gain market share, driven by technological advancements and increased environmental concerns. Consumer awareness and government targets for emission reduction catalyse the move away from combustion engines toward these greener alternatives.
Box Hill Institute completed a project to advance and expand automotive apprenticeship training into the inspection, diagnostic, servicing and repairs of electric and hybrid vehicles.
Working on electric and hybrid vehicles requires advanced knowledge of high-voltage systems, isolation, and monitoring to ensure safety. As part of the program, participants will be trained on new equipment and technologies to meet the necessary safety and sustainability requirements.
Outcomes and next steps
The new electric and hybrid vehicles apprenticeship program attracted interest from major vehicle dealerships for training of their future workforce.
As part of the project, Box Hill Institute:
- acquired 3 electric vehicles (different makes), safety equipment (EV fire blankets), and a range of EV/HV service, maintenance and repair tools
- implemented virtual reality technologies in fire safety training for the automotive and service industries, enabling students to engage in interactive scenarios for handling electric and hybrid vehicle incidents
- equipped the automotive training room with specialised simulators for electric and hybrid vehicle systems, providing a safe learning space for the students.
Box Hill Institute is looking into engaging with potential partners and developing units to deliver electric vehicle skill sets in 2024.
Updated