Major aftermarket behemoth LKQ has committed to upskilling another 1000 technicians in servicing hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles by the end of 2023.
Through its Academy, the firm has announced the drive as part of a “continued focus on future-proofing the independent aftermarket”.
It follows the news last month that the sector was experiencing a 20-year high in vacancies, with 111,400 required roles needing to be filled within the next decade.
Over the past year LKQ Academy – which offers an array if IMI-approved courses – has trained more than 2000 hybrid and EV technicians in servicing, maintenance and repair.
Bob Wiffen, workshop solutions director at LKQ Euro Car Parts said: “The direction of travel on hybrids and EVs is clear – around half of all new cars sold now are plug-in, up from one in 10 vehicles in 2019.
“And although many of the newest vehicles will be maintained by their dealership to start with, there are plenty of hybrids in particular that are in their fourth and fifth years of ownership, and that are coming into the independent aftermarket now.
“Garages that act fast to upskill their workforce will retain their loyal customers as they upgrade to newer, cleaner technologies – at the same time as attracting hybrid and EV drivers from the competition.”
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