LKQ Europe has committed to a training target to support the green and digital transformation of the automotive sector across the continent, including in the UK and Ireland, as part of the European Commission’s Mobility Transition Pathway initiative.
The Mobility Transition Pathway, launched in February 2024, aims to foster a sustainable, competitive, and innovative mobility ecosystem across the European Union. In its first round of stakeholder pledges, 45 organisations submitted 80 concrete commitments addressing key transition topics, with LKQ Europe’s technician training programme standing out as a critical and transformative initiative.
Through the LKQ Academy training division, LKQ will upskill 24,000 technicians to safely maintain and repair hybrid and electric vehicles across 11 countries by 2028, to support the electrification of the car parc.
The training programme consists of four levels based on the European Standard EN 550110-1, and covers the theoretical and practical aspects of hybrid and EV maintenance, including advanced diagnostic tools and software.
In the UK and Ireland, LKQ Academy offers garages and technicians access to more than 80 IMI and Industry & Guild approved courses across more than 30 training centres, with 150 courses also available online to help make training accessible for all. Its customer base now consists of more than 21,000 registered technicians and more than 12,000 seats are available in 2025 across 87 courses – this includes hybrid/EV and ADAS courses which saw 1,600 and 250 sign ups respectively in 2024.
Andy Hamilton, President and Executive Managing Director of LKQ Europe, commented: “Our pledge directly contributes to the EU’s vision of a greener, more digital mobility landscape. And more broadly, our pledge will support the future of the automotive aftermarket as it adapts to remain competitive in a rapidly changing world – keeping people and businesses moving safely, affordably and sustainably.”
Kevan Wooden, CEO of LKQ UK and Ireland, added: “We are committed to helping independent workshops to future-proof the services they offer through the LKQ Academy – which is home to some of the industry’s most forward-thinking experts and trainers, right across the continent.
“The independent aftermarket offers motorists a hugely valuable, personal, local service – and with our help, there’s no reason why it shouldn’t be as well-rounded, up to date and professionalized as anything you might find at a franchised dealer.”
