Mississagua, Ontario -- By investing in electric vehicle repair training programs, independent shop owners can position their businesses to thrive in the coming years, says Yves Racette, director of NAPA High Voltage at NAPA/UAP.
"For a shop to get ready [for the widespread arrival of EVs], it should be focused on training," Racette said during the first day of Shift Happens, the Automotive Aftermarket Retailers of Ontario's annual symposium and trade show.
"Training is one area where shop owners need to be adding on to what they're already doing."
It is also the area where NAPA High Voltage can help. The training and support hub is built for the aftermarket world and offers role-specific training for everyone from service advisors to techs, collision specialists and parts professionals working with EVs. Beyond classes, the hub also boasts a library of repair videos, webinars, safety sheets and technical support tools.
"What we’re doing... is giving shops the opportunity to have that training," says Racette. "We have all kinds of training and you can see everything we offer online.
He adds that, while the training is EV-focused, it is also useful to technicians who only work on traditional vehicles as well.
“These classes aren’t just teaching people about EVs. They teach a lot of transferrable skills for working on ICE or diesel vehicles as well."
"Training is especially important given all the technologies arriving in repair bays -- and all the new technology that will be coming in with each model year."
