Northern Ireland has lowest number of EV-trained technicians in UK
Northern Ireland has the lowest number of electric vehicle-trained technicians in the UK, according to the latest EV TechSafe certification data from the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI).
The IMI’s data shows that 58,800 technicians are now qualified to work on electric vehicles (EVs) across the UK, representing almost a quarter (24%) of the automotive workforce there.
Based on the forecast increase in EVs on UK roads, the IMI is currently predicting a shortfall of 3,000 technicians by 2031. The gap is expected to reach 16,000 by 2035.
The new IMI data also illustrates the current “postcode lottery” for EV skills. While London and the South East have the higher proportion of EVs on the road, the regions do not boast the larger proportion of EV-certified technicians.
Just 6.1 per cent and 6.4 per cent of technicians in London and the South East respectively are EV-trained. Plug-in electric vehicles make up 5.9 per cent of all cars in London and the South East.
The East of England has the highest rate of EV qualifications (9.5%), while Northern Ireland has the lowest rate, with just 3.7 per cent of its 4,343 technicians EV-trained, according to the IMI.
Scotland and Wales are at 7.9 per cent and 5.9 per cent respectively.
“There has been encouraging growth in the number of technicians gaining EV-certification so far in 2024,” explained Kevin Finn, executive chair at the IMI.
“However, with the expected reinstatement of the 2030 ICE ban deadline by the new government, the skills gap remains.
“Automotive businesses urgently need to prioritise training more technicians so that the expected rising number of EV owners can find a local technician qualified to work safely on their vehicle.”
