Honda & industry body drive UK hybrid technician awards

Honda is working with the Institute of Motoring Industry’s (IMI) presenting body awards to bring out nationwide qualifications for maintaining hybrid cars in the UK.

To be made available to mechanics across the industry, the Automotive Internal Combustion and Electric Hybrid Technology Components and Operation Award includes practical and theory components as well as a skills-based component to be held at the Honda Institute.

New Qualifications and Credit Framework will be developed offering the award to education colleges to teach apprentice mechanics.

“I believe I speak for the industry as well as Honda when I say that this not only benefits learners, but is the responsible thing to do in terms of end-user safety and awareness,” said Mr Elliot Smith, technical training coordinator at the Honda Institute.  “Independent car mechanics can also gain a nationally recognised qualification and therefore assure motorists that they are servicing a hybrid car correctly and safely.”

Since 1999 Honda has sold more than 300,000 hybrid vehicles, with a future target of worldwide sales to be 10 per cent hybrid. Civic Hybrid, Insight and a hybrid sports car based on the CR-Z concept are Honda’s hybrid vehicles.

The Automotive Internal Combustion and Electric Hybrid Technology Components and Operation Award is a joint development between IMI Awards, Honda, BMW and Toyota.