Institute of the Motor Industry has called on Government to mandate TechSafe standards across the automotive sector as connected, electric and automated vehicle technologies become more complex.
The call followed a policy panel discussion hosted by the IMI and attended by Shadow Transport Secretary Richard Holden alongside employers, legal experts, fleet operators and academic researchers.
The panel concluded that Government intervention is needed to ensure technicians working on safety-critical vehicle systems can demonstrate auditable competence across emerging technologies.
The IMI said its TechSafe standard could provide a framework for workforce competency recognition across connected vehicles, automated driving systems, electric vehicles and alternative fuels.
Nick Connor, chief executive of the IMI, said: “The automotive sector is undergoing the most significant period of change in its history with electrification, connected vehicles, autonomous driving, alternative fuels and new digital systems reshaping not only the vehicles on our roads, but the skills, standards and responsibilities required of the workforce.”
He added: “It is now a question of public safety, consumer confidence, economic growth and industrial readiness that workforce competence is at the heart of automotive-specific regulation.”
Technicians need to become “omnicompetent”
The IMI said TechSafe is already used as a mechanism for auditing workforce competence and argued it could support future regulation as the sector evolves.
Richard Holden MP said: “As vehicles become more technologically advanced, consumers, insurers and the wider industry all need confidence that the people repairing and maintaining them have the right skills and training.
“Recognised standards like IMI TechSafe can play an important role in building that trust and helping ensure safety keeps pace with innovation.”
The IMI also highlighted concerns over current EV training levels across the aftermarket and wider automotive workforce.
According to the organisation’s latest TechSafe data, just over a third of technicians currently hold some level of qualification to work on electric vehicles.
The panel also discussed the importance of ensuring independent garages, recovery operators and specialist repairers can demonstrate recognised competence outside of franchised dealer networks.
Participants argued technicians increasingly need to become “omnicompetent”, capable of working safely across multiple propulsion systems and technologies rather than specialising solely by fuel type.
The IMI identified the implementation of the Automated Vehicles Act 2024 as a potential route for introducing mandatory competency standards.
Connor said: “Repair, servicing, diagnostics, software updates, battery health management, recovery, resale and end-of-life processes all carry safety-critical implications when handled by those without the right competence.”
He added: “Motorists should have clear assurance that the person working on their vehicle is appropriately trained, current and accountable and government policy should make that assurance possible.”
Other panellists included representatives from Cleevely Electric Vehicles, Cardiff University, Lawgistics and Fleet Assist.
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