A GROUP of Dundee Science Centre staff swapped lab coats for boilersuits today (Thursday 10 March 2022), exploring the workings and safety implications of electric vehicles.
Having recently acquired a Citroen E-Dispatch 75Kw for use in community events, festivals and outreach activities, the team attended the Electric Vehicle and Hybrid Training Centre in Dundee to gain a Level 1 Award in Electric/Hybrid Vehicle Awareness.
Dundee and Angus College has partnered with Robert Lawson and Sons Auto Electricians to create the facility at Robert Lawson’s Kilspindie Road premises in Dundee. This fully functioning workshop facility will help ensure Scotland has vehicle technicians trained to a high standard to maintain and repair Ultra Low Emission Vehicles (ULEVs). The training courses offered at various levels will ensure that workforces can upskill their employees to ensure the safe driving of Electric Vehicles. Courses will also upskill current and future technicians, ensuring they have the knowledge and skills needed to work safely when servicing, repairing, removing and refitting high voltage components.
The Dundee Science Centre team trained today includes staff who will drive the van and deliver activities and programmes within the community.
Lorraine Lemon, Head of Business and Operations at Dundee Science Centre, said, “As we move into more sustainable ways of working, it’s crucial that our team fully understand the finer workings of our operations, and that includes our new electric vehicle.
“With petrol and diesel vehicles due to be phased out by 2030, Dundee is establishing itself as the most visionary city in Europe for electric vehicles and, as the city’s science centre, we must stay ahead of the curve and set an example to the communities we serve. As well as those driving the vehicle, we are keen to ensure that those delivering our growing suite of programmes around sustainability and climate understand the role of electric vehicles going forwards so we can influence and motivate new behaviours amongst the communities we serve.”
Caryn Gibson, Business Partnership Manager, Dundee and Angus College, said, “As we accelerate the journey to NetZero, electric vehicles sales are starting to dominate the marketplace. That’s fantastic, but, to ensure we have the people trained to maintain and service them, we need to create that future workforce to support that transition from fuel to electricity. Our range of training courses has something for everyone, from businesses converting their fleet and first responders attending to the scene of an accident, to members of the public looking to learn more about their new car. We applaud Dundee Science Centre for not only using their electric vehicle as a sustainable form of transport but to inspire change amongst the families and communities they engage with.”
For more information on Dundee Science Centre’s contribution to the green agenda, visithttps://www.dundeesciencecentre.org.uk/sustainability.
For more information on the courses being delivered by Dundee and Angus College, visithttps://dundeeandangus.ac.uk/business-and-training/train-with-us/electric-hybrid-vehicle-training/
