Electric vehicle apprenticeship on offer at Gateshead College

Jun 16 2010 by Nicola Juncar, The Journal

A COLLABORATION between a Tyneside college and a pioneering North East company has led to the launch of the country's first apprenticeship dedicated to electric vehicles.

The three-year course will see young people train at Smith Electric Vehicles, a leading manufacturer of electric vans and trucks, alongside studying at Gateshead College.

The scheme combines hands-on work experience at Smith’s headquarters in Washington, with classroom-based theory work at the FE college.

The brand new, nationally-recognised course will see apprentices gaining the equivalent of three A-levels.

Geoff Allison, managing director of Smith Electric Vehicles, said: “If Britain is going to become a world leader in the production of electric vehicles, we have to start training the next workforce generation now.

“Smith Electric Vehicles has always invested in apprentices, but we are particularly proud to be leading the way in the development of the specialised skills our young people will need in the low-carbon economy.”

Apprentices will gain practical, work-based knowledge and skills through an NVQ Level 3 in engineered systems and a City & Guilds Level 3 in engineering, along with functional and key skills. They will then have the unique opportunity to progress onto a foundation degree in engineering, maintenance operations or electric vehicles.

Mick Brophy, managing director for business, innovation and development at Gateshead College, said: “It’s estimated that by 2020 they’ll be up to 400,000 new ‘green’ jobs in the UK.

“By identifying, developing and delivering specialist training in these emerging green technologies, we’re at the forefront of being able to successfully equip the region’s workforce with the skills they need to meet this demand.

“In Smith, we have found a partner with real foresight. Together we are creating a course that can be a blueprint for low carbon vehicle training across the UK.”

Founded in 1920 in Newcastle, Smith Electric Vehicles is the world’s oldest surviving manufacturer of electric vehicles. Once a major producer of milk floats, the company now offers a range of electric vans and trucks, powered by the latest lithium-ion batteries.

Its Smith Edison, a pure electric version of the Ford Transit van, is the world’s best-selling electric light commercial vehicle, while the Smith Newton is the market-leading all-electric truck.

Their vehicles are used by many big names, including Royal Mail, Transport for London, Coca-Cola, DHL, TNT and Sainsbury’s.

Smith Electric Vehicles is holding an open morning for prospective candidates at its Vigo Centre facility in Birtley Road, Washington, on Tuesday, June 22, from 9am to noon.

Entry criteria include a maths GCSE at A* to B, plus grades A* to C in English, a science and at least one other GCSE. Applicants will also undergo psychometric testing.