The UK’s first electric vehicle apprenticeship is to expand this year by doubling its intake. Smith Electric Vehicles-the company behind the scheme-is now recruiting an additional six apprentices at its plant in Washington, Tyne & Wear.
It follows the company’s successful launch of a dedicated EV Apprenticeship scheme in 2010, in partnership with nearby Gateshead College, when it recruited six apprentices.
Doug MacAndrew is Vice-President of Engineering & Development for Smith Electric Vehicles Europe – and also sits on the North East regional council for Semta, the sector skills council for science, engineering and manufacturing technologies.
“It is essential for the UK to invest in STEM education and apprenticeships if we are to maintain and build on our capability as a technology leader in low carbon vehicles,” he said. “This challenge is significant, with an estimated 8,500 new recruits being required between 2011 and 2016 in the North East alone to replace those expected to retire in the sector.
“Smith Electric Vehicles is very encouraged by the value our current apprentices bring to our business and look forward to continuing our programme in 2012 and the future.
While the company’s first intake focused on EV production roles, the class of 2012 will be deployed in a range of disciplines, including service engineers and back office staff, quality, design engineers and business administration.
The four-year apprenticeship course combines workplace training at Smith’s factory, with education at Gateshead College, leading to a Level 3 nationally-recognised qualifications; an NVQ Level3 in Engineered Systems and a City & Guilds Level 3 in Engineering. Learners then have the opportunity to progress onto a Foundation Degree in Engineering, Maintenance Operations or Electric Vehicles.
Smith produces electric delivery vehicles suitable for depot-based, predictable route, multi-drop applications. Customers include Sainsbury’s, TNT, DHL and John Lewis. Smith Electric Vehicles produces the Newton and the Edison delivery vehicles, with a manufacturing base in Kansas City, Missouri as well as in the UK. The Smith Newton truck is available in 7.5t, 10t and 12t gross vehicle weights. The 3.5t Smith Edison is available as a chassis cab, panel van and minibus.
