workspace
Electric vehicles pathway
The model pathway: eight subjects, their topics and what is in it for you.
model pathway
Automobile engineering and electric vehicles
This pathway is the model: every other pathway is filled in the same way (see the pathway template). Each subject shows its topics (the Y axis) and what is in it for the learner (the Z axis).
eight subjects
Subjects, topics and benefits
1. Vehicle systems
- How an electric vehicle is put together
- Drive layouts and energy flow
- Thermal management
- Reading a vehicle diagram
What is in it for me: You can explain how the whole vehicle works and talk with any specialist.
2. Battery chemistry and packs
- Cell types and how they differ
- Pack design, modules and cooling
- Battery management and balancing
- Ageing, health and second life
What is in it for me: You can assess a battery, spot early faults and understand what affects its value.
3. Power electronics and motor drives
- Converters, inverters and chargers
- Electric motor types
- Efficiency and heat
- Fault finding on drives
What is in it for me: You can learn to diagnose and service the parts that turn stored energy into motion, under supervision.
4. Embedded controls and safety
- Control units and vehicle networks
- Software updates and data
- Functional safety basics
- Cyber safety of vehicles
What is in it for me: You can work on the vehicle software side and keep people safe.
5. Materials and manufacturing
- Light materials and joining
- Assembly lines and quality checks
- Battery and motor manufacturing basics
- Supply chains and sourcing
What is in it for me: You can take a job in a plant and understand why parts cost what they cost.
6. Test and type approval
- Test methods and rigs
- Standards and approval steps
- Records and traceability
- Reading a test report
What is in it for me: You can help show a product meets the applicable rules and is ready for the market.
7. Charging and vehicle-to-grid
- Charger types and connectors
- Home, work and public charging
- Grid links and smart charging
- Planning a charging site
What is in it for me: You can plan and run charging for homes, fleets and businesses.
8. Lifecycle and circularity
- Repair, reuse and recycling
- Handling used batteries safely
- Cost of ownership
- Rules on waste and take-back
What is in it for me: You can reduce waste and build a business around reuse.
recognition
Micro-credentials
Battery systems
Subjects 2 and 8 with a practical check.
Power electronics
Subject 3 with a bench task.
Electric vehicle technician fundamentals
Subjects 1, 4 and 7 with a safety assessment.
jobs
Career roles and ways to work
- Electric vehicle technician
- Battery technician
- Charging site planner
- Test and approval assistant
- Production line operator
- Fleet energy coordinator
- Repair and reuse specialist
- Service advisor
Employment models
Employed
Workshops, makers, fleets and charging companies.
Self-employed
Mobile repair, conversion and charger installation.
Partnership
A shared workshop with a partner school or maker.
Project work
Short contracts for fleets, tests and audits.
first 90 days
Quick wins
Day 30
Safety unit passed and first vehicle diagram read.
Day 60
First bench task done with a mentor.
Day 90
Battery or charging mini-project shown to a partner; first micro-credential in reach.
before opening
Labs and partners checklist
- An anchor partner such as a workshop, fleet or maker
- A safe bench area with protective equipment and a trained supervisor
- Training batteries and a charger that are safe for learners
- Test tools and a place to keep records
- A mentor for every small group
- Written safety rules read and signed by every learner
Safety units come first. Learners work on high-voltage parts only under trained, qualified supervision, with the rules above. Any figures or designs shown in examples are for teaching; a qualified person designs, checks and signs off real work.
A subject expert checks the topics, safety rules and credentials before members see them. Plans may change.