On Thursday 13th July CILT Mobility & Supply Chain Skillnet launched Ireland’s first ever electric vehicle microcredential at the Limerick Strand Hotel. This course was developed in conjunction with Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) and is the first course of its kind nonspecific to any vehicle brand or manufacturer.
Minister of State at the Department of Transport Jack Chambers gave the opening address to invited guests. We thank the Minister for his support of this much needed course.
Tim Daly, Head of Training at Bus Éireann approached CILT Mobility & Supply Chain Skillnet as he identified an absence of a generic training programme for Mechanics/ Craftworkers when it comes to heavy electric vehicles.
With Bus Eireann’s ambitious plans to move the current fleet to electric vehicles in as timely manner as possible it became clear to Tim that it was critical to ensure the current engineering support was upskilled to work on electric vehicles. Daly says, “It is critical to have this training and skills in place ahead of such a change [and so] I contacted James Kearney, Network Manager for CILT Mobility & Supply Chain Skillnet.”
CILT Mobility & Supply Chain Skillnet creates bespoke training courses relevant to industry for which there is a demand for that is not being met. It then offers these courses as a subsidized rate to industry.
“From the perspective of transport operators, the benefits of completing this course include increased safety and compliance, professional operation, maintenance, and recovery and reducing the lifelong cost of vehicle ownership. All this is an important factor in the efforts being made to reduce emissions and practical measures towards greater sustainability. I am confident that having Mechanics/ Craftworkers trained with this EV Microcredential will pave the way for a more sustainable future for road passenger/freight transport.”
Representatives from the various bus companies were in attendance including William Martin, Chairman of the Coach and Tourism Transport Council of Ireland. We also heard from lecturers from TUS who aided in this course development, James McPhilips, Sean Conway and Daragh Donnelly with Dr. Maria Kyne, Dean of Engineering and Built Environment/Director, Apprenticeship Development at TUS in attendance also.
President of CILT Brendan Keating addressed attendees at the close and referenced the need for a high level of investment, on an ongoing basis in Education and Training by Government and by Employers. President Keating commented on a significant component in the successful development of the sector is the availability of a strong cohort of well-trained educated people “I acknowledge the support Government has given the sector in recent times and I am confident that with recent national policy developments this will continue.
CILT Ireland through the Mobility and Supply Chain Skillnet programme is delighted to support this educational initiative because of the contribution it will make to the achievement of a sustainable transport system for the Country.
Of equal significance is the opportunity it provides for highly skilled mechanics and engineers to transfer their skills to electric vehicles. CILT Ireland’s members expect us as the Professional Body for the Transport, Logistics and Supply Chain sector to continually play a leading role in introducing initiatives such as this thereby supporting and helping the sector address, at an accelerated pace, the challenge of decarbonisation and climate change.”
The Electric Vehicle Fundamentals microcredential course will commence on 14th September and will be delivered online for the most part involving online lectures and self-directed learning with the practical elements taking place in person over a 2-day intensive practical bootcamp. For further information on this course visit the website www.ciltskillnet.ie or email info@ciltskillnet.ie