Charge up your knowledge on electric vehicles at Otago Polytechnic

Otago Polytechnic is rolling out a wide-ranging series of Electric Vehicle (EV) short courses and micro-credentials under our EduBits brand aimed at meeting a growing demand for EV training in New Zealand.

There are currently 4000 EVs on the road in New Zealand. However, that figure will be dwarfed in a few years — the Government has set a target of 64,000 EVs on New Zealand roads by the end of 2021.

Clean and green, EVs are also cheaper to run than petrol-fuelled vehicles, a factor that has contributed to their increasing popularity.

As the national fleet of EVs grows, so does the need for effective learning and skills assessment within the automotive industry and related service areas.

On full throttle with its EV training and assessment, Otago Polytechnic has introduced a range of electric vehicle short courses.

At the end of each short course, learners are assessed and awarded an EduBit, Otago Polytechnic’s digital micro-credential assessment service, which enables learners to show what they know and have their learning recognised.

Comprising a fast-expanding suite of digital micro-credentials, the learning and assessments are designed to fit around an employee’s work (with online, evening and weekend course delivery).

Our range of EV courses and EduBits — “Safe Practices”, “Drive System Diagnosis and Repair”, and “Battery Diagnosis and Repair” — are ideal for those seeking a solid understanding of EV operation.

Both the EV Safe Practices online course and EduBit are aimed at all EV users, as well as anyone seeking an insight into health and safety requirements when working on, or around, electric vehicles. Other courses are tailored to a range of users, including automotive technicians, first responders and fleet managers.

“There is strong demand among those working in the automotive industry to increase their skills and knowledge base of EV technology, and to have that knowledge recognised by industry endorsed micro-credentials,” Phil Ker, Chief Executive, Otago Polytechnic, says.

“There are currently no legislative requirements around the servicing, warranting, and safety standards of EVs. However, certification for people working on EV’s is imminent.”

Otago Polytechnic will launch its EV short courses and EV EduBits micro-credentials at a special event at the Polytechnic on Friday 6 April (5-6pm). A range of industry experts, employers and community groups will attend.

Read more about Otago Polytechnic’s Electric Vehicle short courses (and enrol).

Read more about Otago Polytechnic’s EV EduBits.