Employees at Toyota Manufacturing UK's (TMUK) Burnaston and Deeside factories can compete a course in both in hybrid vehicle manufacturing and wider environmental issues. The diploma they gain on completion has been officially recognised as a Level 2 NVQ (non-vocational qualification).
Although experienced in the production of conventional petrol and diesel models, TMUK members need to be well versed in specific issues surrounding hybrid vehicles, such as safe handling of the high voltage elements of the Hybrid Synergy Drive powertrain.
Tony Walker, TMUK deputy managing director, said: "Launching production of the new Auris Hybrid has called for a big investment in training. We have even developed a new Diploma in Hybrid Vehicle Introduction and Environmental Improvement, together with a number of partners, which has been formally recognised as an NVQ Level 2.
"It means we are the first in Europe to have the skills and knowledge needed to manufacture full hybrid vehicles. And with Toyota's strategy to progressively expand its full hybrid technology to more models, TMUK will be well placed to support this expansion."
The main objective of the Hybrid Vehicle Introduction and Environmental Improvements qualification is to improve business performance during the introduction of the new vehicle, and to implement environmental improvements both in the business and in society in general.
The range of different practical study elements within the qualification includes environmental effectiveness in the workplace, application of environmental learning in society, evaluation of standard operating procedures during new model introduction, verification of new product designs using a trial vehicle and contribution to the application of problem-solving techniques during new model introduction.
TMUK staff have also travelled to Japan and the US to learn best practice in safety and quality from their Toyota colleagues who make Prius at Tsutsumi in Kentucky. These teams have then been able to pass on their new skills to their colleagues through further training sessions back in Britain.
Toyota production centres around the world work to exactly the same principles of the Toyota production system, making for easier understanding and knowledge-sharing.
