As electric and hybrid vehicles become increasingly common on New Zealand roads, EIT is helping ensure the automotive workforce has the specialist skills to keep pace. EIT’s NZ Certificate in Electric Vehicle Automotive Engineering (Level 5) is designed for busy technicians just like Andrew Simms Motor Group technician Ernest De Villiers, who want to stay at the top of their industry.
According to the Motor Trade Association (MTA), registrations of plug-in hybrids and battery electric vehicles were up 174.1% in October compared with the same month last year, but the know-how to fix them hasn’t kept pace. With the support of his employer, Ernest decided to close that gap. A year of study at EIT later, he’s diagnosing faults that once had him stumped and has picked up his company’s Top Technician Award.
Andrew Simms Motor Group technician, Ernest De Villiers with his Master of Craft Award.
“I had a strong mechanical background, but I lacked confidence when it came to EV diagnostics, particularly understanding high-voltage systems and knowing where to begin with fault-finding procedures,” shares Ernest.
With more EVs coming through the Andrew Simms Group workshops, and battery faults becoming more complex, Ernest took the leap and started the NZ Certificate in Electric Vehicle Automotive Engineering (Level 5) through EIT, studying online with practical block courses at the Taradale campus in Hawke’s Bay in November 2025.
“I was eager to learn, but also a little unsure about what to expect,” Ernest admits.
“As a technician, I always strive for excellence and understand the importance of keeping up with new technology. I wanted to ensure I had the knowledge and skills needed for the future of the automotive industry.”
“I had previously completed basic EV training. While it provided a good introduction to removing and replacing components, the Level 5 programme at EIT went much deeper. It provided a detailed understanding of how EV systems operate, why faults occur, and the diagnostic processes required to repair them effectively.”
Learning content that was relevant and could be applied straight away in the workshop is what excited Ernest most, including two vehicles in his own workshop with battery faults that had him stumped. With help from EIT tutor Scott Cunningham, he diagnosed and repaired both.
“Learning about the chemistry and operation of battery systems helped me understand why the faults occurred. In both cases, the vehicles had sat unused for long periods at a high state of charge. The cells drifted out of balance, and that triggered faults once the customers started driving them again.”
“Scott showed me how to diagnose and repair the battery packs, which taught me that replacing the entire battery pack is not always necessary.”
Having a tutor who’d worked in the trade and was always contactable was a game-changer for Ernest.
“Scotty was an excellent tutor. He explained complex concepts in a practical way and always related theory back to real-world workshop situations. Having previously worked as a technician himself, he understood how we approached problems and was able to guide us towards effective diagnostic methods and tools.”
For EIT tutor Scott Cunningham, having a student who asked the tricky questions kept him on his toes, and he was more than happy to help unpack the ‘why’ behind them.
“Ernest was the kind of student every tutor hopes for. He brought real faults from his own workshop into class. He was never satisfied with knowing which component to replace; he wanted to know why it failed. Those questions lifted the whole group. The programme goes well beyond batteries. It covers drive system faults and high-voltage auxiliary systems, including braking, charging and HVAC. Seeing Ernest take that diagnostic approach back to Andrew Simms, finding root causes and saving customers from unnecessary replacements, is exactly what this programme is about.”
“The course filled many of the knowledge gaps I had and gave me a much stronger foundation in EV technology. I now feel far more confident when approaching EV faults and have the skills needed to continue developing my expertise.”
– Ernest De Villiers, Technician, Andrew Simms Motor Group –
While a year of study alongside full-time employment has been challenging at times, the benefits to Ernest’s day-to-day work, and to his employer, are too good to ignore.
“We have reduced diagnostic time, saved warranty costs, and avoided unnecessary battery replacements, resulting in lower costs for customers,” says Ernest. “The knowledge I gained has also enabled me to support and mentor other technicians in the workshop, helping improve the team’s overall capability.”
With his newfound knowledge and deeper understanding of EV systems, Ernest was the recent recipient of the Andrew Simms Master of Craft Award. Given annually, the award recognises the outstanding talents of one of 62 automotive technicians across the organisation.
As a company that places heavy emphasis on advanced training for its technicians, Andrew Simms General Manager of Aftersales, Travis Cross, sees the experience Ernest gained from EIT’s NZ Certificate in Electric Vehicle Automotive Engineering (Level 5) as a competitive advantage.
“Electric vehicle technology is evolving rapidly, and it’s crucial that our technicians stay ahead of the curve. Ernest’s commitment to continuous learning and his willingness to share that knowledge with his colleagues demonstrates the professionalism and dedication we truly value at Andrew Simms. As the automotive industry transitions to advanced electric vehicle technology, technicians like Ernest play a vital role in helping our teams adapt and grow. His achievement reflects the culture of development and innovation we strive to foster, and the knowledge and practical skills he has gained through EIT’s training have strengthened both his own capabilities and the expertise we can offer our customers.”
With his study complete, Ernest is focused on applying what he’s learnt and passing on his newfound knowledge and skills to the younger technicians he works with.