Delphi Academy celebrates ‘youngest’ EV IMI L3 graduate

A 19-year-old apprentice working at Oldfields Garage in Leominster is thought to be the youngest technician in the UK to have been awarded the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Level 3 qualification, having completed the course at Delphi Academy in Warwick.

Owen Lloyd achieved the milestone before completing his Level 3 apprenticeship, which he’s currently finishing at Herefordshire, Ludlow and North Shropshire College while gaining hands-on experience at Oldfields Garage in Leominster.

“I want to stay up to date, and it seems electric vehicles (EVs) are going to be increasingly important,” said Lloyd. “Not many garages have EV qualifications around us, so it’s a big advantage having that box ticked, and it’s amazing to think that I’m the youngest in the country with this qualification.”

Delphi says its comprehensive EV training course provides the essential knowledge and skills needed to safely diagnose, repair, and maintain EVs to IMI Level 3 standards.

It includes six hours of guided online pre-learning, which must be completed before attending the face-to-face course. During the in-person training, participants engage in both theoretical and practical instruction.

“Owen should be incredibly proud of his accomplishment,” said Luke Garratt, UK technical services manager at Delphi. “Completing the EV IMI Level 3 qualification at such a young age, and before even finishing his apprenticeship, is a testament to his dedication and hard work.”

Lloyd has one final exam in August before completing his apprenticeship, when he plans to take on a full-time role at Oldfields Garage.