Five Compelling Learning
Integrations for the Auto Industry

No flying cars yet, but electric cars are here

 

Harry Potter’s escapades in a magical flying Ford were a delightful fantasy. But did you know there are over 100 projects to develop a real flying car?

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In June 2021, Professor Stefan Klein’s unique AirCar prototype did a successful test flight of 35 minutes between two airports in Slovakia. And there are projects for a jet taxi service in Germany, and flying cars in Japan.

Flying cars, however, are still a long way away from commercial viability. Only a few models have succeeded with manned flight. Closer to earth, and already in production, are a range of much more practical electronic vehicles (EVs).

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Electric vehicles, invented in 1832, may be the wave of future transport in developed countries. They include land vehicles for road and rail, watercraft for moving beneath and on top of water surfaces, aircraft, and spacecraft.

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Places such as California in the US and Paris in France are planning to ban non-electric vehicles from their roads in 2030. Electric car sales more than doubled to 6.6 million last year—almost 9% of the global car market, tripling their market share from two years earlier. 

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IEA estimates there are now around 16 million electric cars on the road worldwide. The rise in electric vehicles is a response to massive carbon pollution, global warming, and resulting ecological disasters. Electronic vehicles are one way to decarbonize the transportation industry.

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The November 2021 UN Climate Convention (COP26) supported the shift to clean electric transport in its call for zero emissions. US President Joe Biden said he wants to see half of all new vehicles sold in 2030 electric.

 

Electric vehicles discard the hydrocarbon-guzzling internal combustion engine in favor of a less polluting form of power. They get power from either a collector system (such as electrified rails or overhead lines), or from a special in-car battery—usually a lithium-ion battery.

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Jonathan Davenport, research director at Gartner, says although the ongoing shortage of chips will affect the production of EVs this year, he expects electrified fleets of vans and trucks to grow rapidly as owners see the financial and environmental benefits.

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The evolution of e-mobility implies major training needs in the automotive industry. It creates a need for auto companies and related services to invest in a managed learning system.

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The auto industry is digitally transforming

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There are other compelling reasons for auto industry learning integrations. Chief among them is the wave of digital technologies and artificial intelligence now influencing and changing car design and factory operations.

New technology systems require qualified technicians across all their product and service areas. There’ll consequently be a need for extensive training, upskilling, and certification of auto industry employees.

 

The car of the future

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“The car of the future is electrified, autonomous, shared, connected, and yearly updated,” said a 2018 PwC report on auto industry trends. These predictions remain relevant in 2022, although some elements are taking longer to develop.

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• Electrified is already here. And it’s expanding. EVs emit fewer exhaust fumes and noise. EV use is set to expand in developed countries which can afford the expensive infrastructure.
   

• Autonomous refers to AI-enabled self-driving vehicles. These are still being tested, with some operating as robotaxis. They use environmental sensors and advanced control systems. Waymo (owned by Alphabet, Google’s parent firm) first provided driverless taxi rides in December 2020 in Phoenix, Arizona.

• Shared rides. These can include Uber-type ride-hailing, privately owned car-sharing, and fleet providers.

• Connected cars. Cars are getting smarter and more connected. Some major digital firms, like Google and Amazon Web Services, have invested in vehicle technology. For example, Gartner predicts by 2028 70% of vehicles sold will use the Android Automotive Operating System, up from 1% today. Cars can connect with everything, such as

  • other cars

  • transport infrastructure like traffic lights

  • the outside world—surfing the net or accessing multimedia services like streaming music or movies.

• Yearly Updated refers to auto-related hardware, software, and even new car models. Gartner predicts software will soon become the main source of profit growth in the auto industry. It will challenge original equipment manufacturers to turn into tech or software companies.

 

Learning integrations for the auto industry

 

Electric vehicles (EVs) and digital transformations promise to disrupt traditional auto manufacturing and service businesses. They’ll probably put some out of business. But they’ll bring opportunities for new skills and jobs.

The new skills will require convenient training systems that can be delivered economically in a way that enables accurate tracking of learning and credentials.

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A 2021 Economist article noted the concern in many countries about a “looming shortage of EV technicians.” The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI), which represents the UK’s motor trade, said Britain would need 90,000 new technicians to service and repair EVs by 2030, but right now, less than 10% of Britain’s mechanics are qualified to do it. Here are five ways learning integration can benefit the auto industry.

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1. Prepare for the future with EV certification

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Electronics malfunctions in EVs and related charging systems may have fatal consequences for occupants, rescue teams, or untrained service technicians.

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Inexperienced people handling the high voltage in EVs may get shocks, burns, or ventricular fibrillation.

Electrical Vehicles will require certification in manufacturing, repair, and safety. An LMS integration can deliver it.

You can integrate certified training programs on electrical technologies with workflows in EV manufacturing, repair trade, rescue services, towing services, and other services.

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You can also use e-learning as part of a blended learning approach. Some firms may choose to put all learning content on an app to make it available anywhere.

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2. EV Compliance regulations will come

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Although there is currently no single global EV standard, regulatory standards will eventually shape how the EV tech evolves.

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One vendor singles out four main areas for most regulatory efforts:

• Safety and security

• Charging connectors

• Charging topology

• EV charging related communications

 

Compliance requirements will require recognized, national, regional or international certifications of competency from dealerships and individual technicians. An LMS integration can make the training and credentials easy for employers to manage.

 

3. Micro-learning on product updates

 

You can integrate micro-learning modules with marketing and sales workflows to train your employees on the latest car models, in-car technologies, and car software updates to enable on-demand learning.

 

Knowing the updates will be essential to crafting timely, persuasive, informed marketing and sales.

LMS-delivered modules can deliver the micro-learning content of your choice while making it entertaining through gamification elements like team points, rewards, and leaderboards.

 

4. Use dealer certifications in marketing

 

You can integrate dealer certifications in specialized skills and competencies with your marketing websites, so consumers can see exactly who’s certified in what, and make their own choice.

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Also, dealer certifications are promotions in themselves, demonstrating the company’s commitment to high standards and reliable expertise.

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You can also link certifications to employee incentive programs or discounts to encourage more employees to get certified.

 

5. Integrate learning with HR to drive better recruitment

 

In February 2021, the International Labour Organization (ILO) met in Geneva to discuss the “Future of Work in the Automotive Industry.” It said disruption would “become a permanent feature of the industry in years to come.” It noted the future of the auto industry would depend on the skills and capabilities of its workers.

 

The ILO conference paper said digitization in the automotive value chain will create an increasing demand for highly skilled workers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

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The ILO did two in-depth analyses of the global demand for ICT specialists. It found that in six of the seven countries covered, the auto industry will increasingly compete with other industries to attract and retain workers with STEM backgrounds and ICT expertise.

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This talent competition will put increased pressure on auto industry recruitment. HR will have to keep up with the latest tech trends to know whom to hire. A learning integration with HR can help deliver this knowledge.

 

An LMS integration can also help promote internal company learning and development, which will become more important with the projected STEM talent shortages.

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Integrated learning is the future

 

As new technologies and skills change the auto industry, learning will become more essential. Well-managed integrations will enable the training, certification, and lifelong learning expected of auto industry workers.