The new training centre is part of South & City College and offers training on light vehicles, PSVs and HGVs
A new training facility has been launched in Birmingham to support the automotive sector with the skills necessary to service and maintain hydrogen fuelled vehicles, including light vehicles, PSVs and HGVs. The new facility at South & City College Birmingham has been funded by a £1.5m grant from the Office for Students. The investment includes the purchase of a Bluepower e-base refuse collection vehicle to facilitate realistic training.
First announced in December 2022, when the funding was secured, the facility has been transformed from a vision into reality by a partnership between the college and Enginius, part of vehicle manufacturer Faun Zoeller, which specialises in hydrogen-powered municipal vehicles.
The 450m² workshop includes vehicle lifts and an EV training area.
Speaking at the launch, Principal at SCCB Mike Hopkins MBE said: “I am very pleased that the WMCA Mayor Richard Parker has given us so much support and has opened our new facility. With the Government planning to end the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles, it is imperative that the automotive sector is ready for the switch to alternatively fuelled vehicles, including hydrogen.
“Commercial fleet operators such National Express, and local authorities operating refuse collection and road sweeping vehicles, will require suitably trained engineers to maintain those fleets. This is why we’ve invested so heavily in these specialist facilities, including the purchase of our own branded Bluepower refuse truck that we’ve sourced from market-leaders Enginius.
“Significantly, the training that we’ll deliver via this new workshop segues nicely with the electric vehicle programmes that we already offer, ensuring that we’re addressing the whole hybrid vehicle sector, heavy and light vehicles. This will provide a major pipeline for jobs for young people and for upskilling the automotive workforce in the region”
