New training facility to teach servicing of electric and hybrid cars

Motor workshop technicians will be able to learn about servicing electric and hybrid vehicles at a new training facility as Singapore moves to phase out those with internal combustion engines by 2040.

About 1,000 of the 10,000 technicians in Singapore are expected to be trained over the next three years at the facility, said the Singapore Motor Workshop Association (SMWA). The SMWA Training Academy opened at Sin Ming AutoCity in Bishan yesterday.

SMWA has said there is a need to retrain and upskill the technicians ahead of the expected growth in the use of hybrid and electric vehicles, and the future development of autonomous vehicles.

The association's president, Mr Mike Keh, said the academy "will enable businesses to level up their productivity and efficiency, and to support the transformation of the automotive workshop service industry".

Examples of courses available include a foundation one in electric vehicle autotronics and a certification programme in high-voltage vehicle repairs.

Several other initiatives were rolled out earlier as part of the effort to have all vehicles run on cleaner energy by 2040.

This included the electric vehicle early adoption incentive and the expansion of the national charging network for electric vehicles.

Senior Minister of State for Transport and Foreign Affairs Chee Hong Tat, who officiated at the opening of the SMWA workshop, said preparations to achieve the cleaner vehicle goal have to start early because it is a matter of time before such vehicles become widespread in Singapore.

Mr Chee, who is also the adviser to SMWA, praised the new code of practice for workshops, which was launched yesterday as well.

The code provides guidelines on training workers and improving the quality of service.