The electric vehicle (EV) market continues to go from strength to strength. Electric car sales increased by 186% in 2020 and in 2021, more than one in ten new vehicles were electric.
In total, 1.65 million new cars were registered last year, even despite the pandemic and global shortage of semiconductor chips. Demand for used electric cars has also continued to grow, rising by 119% during 2021.
It’s now estimated that there’s a total of 477,000 electric cars on UK roads and over 790,000 hybrids (PHEVs), highlighting the growing importance of electric vehicles.
Top Tips for Getting a Job in the EV Sector
As the concept becomes more popular with consumers, there’s an increasing need for roles within the field. Similarly, governments and local authorities continue to place immense importance on sustainability, which is driving demand for electric vehicles.
Below we explore how you can get started in the EV industry and the top tips for finding a role working with electric vehicles.
1. Figure out your specialisation
The electric vehicles industry is wide-ranging and encompasses a broad variety of disciplines. Electrical, chemical and mechanical engineers, for example, are all heavily involved in the production of electric vehicles and can find success in the field.
Outside of engineering, the field of EV also utilises specialisations such as computer science, mechatronics and electronics to create the various algorithms, sensors and firmware that help them run on a daily basis.
By figuring out your qualifications and experience, you can determine your specialisation and use that to land a role in the EV industry.
2. Consider internships
Experience is one of the most important elements to landing a role in the EV industry, which you can earn through opportunities such as internships.
Internships can give you the opportunity to shadow professionals within the sector and build your experience of working on a live project.
This can also help you understand how to tackle both technical issues and operate within a corporate environment.
3. Networking
Networking is a critical part of building a career and EV is no different. It’s always a good idea to find an insider in the industry that you can network with, especially those that can provide you with a reference, interview tips or inside information about potential opportunities.
Attend as many networking evenings or conferences as you can, especially those related to the energy sector or EV field.
Once you start making connections in the industry, you’ll be in a better position to find clear opportunities for progression and growth.
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4. Work with a third-party
If you’re struggling to find a role in the EV industry, you may consider working with a third party in recruitment that can help you find opportunities. AD Energy is a bespoke recruitment consultant that can support you in finding a role in the field of electric vehicles.
We have connections with world-class clients across the globe, all of whom are looking for talented and ambitious professionals within the field.
If you’re looking for a new role in the EV industry, why not take a look at the vacancies we have available?
5. Keep up-to-date on trends
When you work in a field that is evolving as quickly as EV, it pays to stay up-to-date in terms of current trends and advancements in technology.
This is not only useful during the application process but also when you’re working on a day-to-day basis.
Think about reading up on news stories or following journals, technology websites and newsletters – all of these channels will give you the information you need to maintain your knowledge.
6. Build your knowledge and qualifications
Depending on the role you’re looking for in EV, you may need to expand your technical knowledge and understanding.
While some roles may not require technical knowledge and can make use of transferable skills or qualifications, some roles require specific expertise.
Take the time to research the role you’d ideally like to work in and the qualifications that you’d need to make it happen.
If you’re already working in engineering or a similar industry, you may already have the skills to work in EV and simply require more product knowledge.