Report examines how to boost skills needed for EV sector

RECHARGE UK has published a new report which sets out four key recommendations to help the UK seize the local and national skills opportunities offered by the electric vehicle (EV) industry.

The report explores how the UK can equip its workforce for the exciting opportunities emerging in the EV sector. Motor manufacturers, distribution network operators, chargepoint manufacturers, operators and installers, local authorities, software solution providers, and other private and public sector organisations are all involved in this relatively new and fast developing sector.

The report delves into current opportunities, looking at who is filling them, and what skills are in demand, as well as future forecast - what jobs are on the horizon, and how many skilled workers will be needed.

The report also looks at what the sector is doing to bridge the skills gap and help fill the opportunities on offer, and what government support is available, as well as what more is needed.

The report examines how the UK can ensure its workforce is prepared for and have access to the opportunities to learn the relevant skills needed to thrive in the sector.

The report recommends the EV sector creates and participates in outreach programmes to inspire the next generation of Net Zero heroes.

It calls on the government to create local Centres of Excellence for Net Zero skills to mitigate local skills gaps and harness the passion for the environment on display from young people today.

The report also calls on the EV sector and UK Government to create upskilling programmes to ensure continued improvement and promotion of opportunities to the existing workforce, and for the government to create reskilling programmes to ensure that those in the workforce without relevant skills, outside of the EV sector can access the growing number of opportunities on offer.

Matt Western MP, Shadow Minister for Higher Education and Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Electric Vehicles, said: “If we are going to decarbonise our economy and take advantage of the green opportunities of the future, we will need a workplace capable of delivering it. That’s why
this report by the REA is so important and I hope it positively influences the debate.

“There’s so much enthusiasm for the climate agenda among young people we need to harness. I want to see the Government commit to supporting colleges to specialise in the technical skills needed to build electric vehicles, as well as reform the apprenticeship levy to unlock funding for retraining and reskilling employees in the automotive sector.”

Matthew Adams, Transport Policy Manager at the REA, said: “At every event or conference, you go to, the same question is always asked: “But do we
have the skills for this?” Our members, Parliamentarians and external stakeholders have expressed their concerns and we as an organisation have responded. Setting out a comprehensive report of the entire EV sector, setting out the current recruitment challenges faced by the sector, as well as the eCorts of CPOs and DNOs in upskilling and reskilling to ensure a future proofed career pathway.

"We have also made a series of structured recommendations on how collectively the industry and Government can collaborate to prepare the workforce and the next generation for the transition to a predominantly electric road transport system. We suggest this is a platform to engage and collaborate, so please do contact us if you want to know how to get involved with existing Government programmes or want to support our key asks.”

Andrew Morgan, Managing Partner at Curzon Consulting, said: “Our contributing research with industry stakeholders on the frontline of the EV revolution shines a light on the exciting new career paths it is creating and the determination they are making to grow and develop the talent pool. It also underlines the urgent and continued need to do more and for industry to be supported by Government to match the efforts and underpin the continued expansion of the EV sector.”

RECHARGE UK is the EV arm of the REA (Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology). The report was produced in association with Curzon Consulting.