LAUNCH OF A NEW TRAINING COURSE – ATTESTATION SÉCURITÉ VÉ

By Sylvie Mallette, General Manager

Auto Prévention is proud to collaborate with the CPCPA (Conseil provincial des comités partitaires de l’industrie des services automobiles), the CPAs (comités paritaires) and the CSMO (Comité sectoriel de main-d’œuvre) to launch a new training program entitled Attestation sécurité VÉ.

The increase in the number of electric and hybrid vehicles (EVs) is changing the face of the automotive service industry. To work on these vehicles and reduce the risk of accidents, you need to know how to work safely, have the right equipment for the job (such as certified insulating gloves), measuring instruments adapted to the level of electrical voltage, and insulated tools.

Many people in the automotive industry are still unaware of the risks associated with high voltage on EVs, and are not qualified to work on these systems. The current flowing through the body of a high-voltage battery can cause cardiac arrest and burns to internal organs.

This training, launched in January 2024, is part of the Electric Vehicle Skills Program (EVSP) training curriculum, which aims to offer a structured training path and recognized electric and hybrid vehicle certification to industry workers in auto mechanics, bodywork and heavy road vehicles. As of September 2023, 284 auto mechanics and 31 collision repairers in Québec had successfully completed their EVSP certification.

The 14-hour course enables workers to locate and determine the potential danger of high-voltage components, learn safety rules and various safe intervention methods, safely defuse systems and update their knowledge of basic electricity.

This training is subsidized, and the training manual and class 0 gloves are provided free of charge. It is not yet mandatory, but is strongly recommended. In view of the Québec government’s goal of having 1.6 million electric vehicles on the road by 2030, this certification will be more than necessary. For more information on training, or to register a worker, visit Compétencesve.ca or contact your regional CPA.