BCoT delivers First Responder training for Electric Vehicles

College collaborates with colleges across Hampshire and Surrey, in delivering industry skills.

As the uptake of hybrid and electric vehicles (EV) increases, the need for new expertise is also on the rise, not only amongst people working in EV maintenance but also among those who are first to the scene of an EV accident, such as the police and rescue services.

BCoT in collaboration with seven other colleges across Hampshire and Surrey, is now in the position to ensure that these skills can be delivered in the local area following a £2.6m funding boost from the Department for Education (DfE), as part of the Strategic Development Fund (SDF).

As part of the project, the consortium has delivered a ‘First Responder’ workshop for teaching staff, run by the Fire Service College at Basingstoke College of Technology (BCoT) on 12 April, so that students can, in turn, be trained on the latest EV technology.

First responders attending accidents involving hybrid or EVs require special skills because the new high-voltage systems within EVs present a new kind of potentially lethal hazard. Therefore, these incidents need to be dealt with by someone with the right expertise to avoid any lives being endangered.

To resolve this problem, technology developer Lucas-Nuelle has developed a new First Responder training system based on training rigs (utilized at the BCoT workshop) that simulate an EV accident scenario, thereby enabling students to practice salvage operations in a safe environment.

The BCoT First Responders masterclass was well attended by teaching staff from colleges across the consortium, including 15 representatives from: BCoT, Brooklands College, East Surrey College, Sparsholt College, HSDC Alton College and North East Surrey College of Technology. A second ‘First Responder’ staff workshop will be held at Brooklands College on 29 June 2023.

The SDF funding has also allowed the consortium to invest in 17 electric and hybrid vehicles for students to train on. It is also offering a suite of FREE online courses to enable local people to upskill in the latest EV maintenance skills, which can be accessed via the college site here.