ChipsAway puts safety first

ChipsAway has been prioritising the safety of its customers and technicians with a brand-new specialist training programme.

New technology is a fantastic thing and the rise of electric vehicles in the UK is set to have a positive impact on the environment. However, new products bring potential new hazards for those who use and work with them, so ChipsAway is ensuring that none of its specialist repair staff put themselves at unnecessary risk by requiring them all to complete a new training course.

Technicians who work with the automotive repair van-based franchise will now have to complete a City & Guilds Level 3 course in Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Repair and Replacement to ensure they can safely carry out repairs on these kinds of vehicles. Many of them have already undergone this training, thanks to the franchise’s partnership with Automotive Training Solutions and ChipsAway has training planned for every month of 2019. No one at the franchise will be left out of the training, as even head office staff will be required to take part to ensure there aren’t any gaps in their knowledge either.

Managing Director Tim Harris said:

“It is clear to us the direction that the car market is going, and that’s electric! Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that plug-in vehicle registration has grown from around 500 per month in 2014 to 5,000 per month in 2018. It is therefore imperative that we take action to ensure our network are up to speed and ultimately safe when working on hybrid and EV’s.”

Harris also predicted that work on electric and hybrid vehicles will soon be officially regulated and that a ‘licence to practice’ will soon be introduced for businesses across the country.

“By implementing this training programme, we’re not only ensuring we stay ahead of the game in terms of industry standards, but, and even more importantly, we’re ensuring the safety of our network and customers alike.”