Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking with the Secretary of State for Education to support training opportunities for young people who wish to pursue careers as electric vehicle mechanics.

Our strategy for net zero is to lead the world in ending our contribution to climate change, while turning this mission into the greatest opportunity for jobs and prosperity for our country since the industrial revolution.

The Government is helping to develop the green skills needed for this net zero economy through initiatives such as the Green apprenticeships, Green Skills Bootcamps, Electrification skills boost, and Free Courses for Jobs.

We are also working with the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI). The Government’s Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) has endorsed the IMI’s TechSafe scheme to help ensure the UK’s workforce of mechanics are well trained and have the skills they need to repair electric vehicles safely.

OZEV has also endorsed the National Franchise Dealers Association’s Electric Vehicle Approved (EVA) Scheme which is a set of standards for automotive retail designed to recognise business excellence in the EV sector, in retail and after-sales care. The EVA mark is then awarded to individual locations that are rigorously and independently audited to ensure this standard is maintained.