Al-Futtaim Automotive Achieves World First, Certifying Over 1,500 Associates in IMI EV Training

Al-Futtaim Automotive has achieved a groundbreaking milestone: It has become the first company globally to certify over 1,500 associates in electric vehicle (EV) technology to the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) International Standards.

This landmark accomplishment demonstrates the company’s unwavering commitment to building a fully integrated EV ecosystem while advancing the UAE’s Green Mobility Strategy 2030 and Energy Strategy 2050.

This milestone comes as the global automotive industry faces urgent calls to retool its workforce for the EV era, highlighted in a recent Reuters report. The UAE, projected to see 15% EV adoption by 2030 (PwC), requires significant upskilling to meet growing consumer demand and align with the nation’s ambitious sustainability goals.

This initiative equips Al-Futtaim Automotive’s workforce with future-ready expertise, including IMI EV Level 1 training for customer-facing staff. It ensures that associates are well-prepared to meet the demands of EV consumers, support emergency response efforts, and address public sector needs.

In line with this vision, Al-Futtaim Automotive has extended EV training to the Dubai Police First Response Rescue Team, ensuring emergency responders are equipped to handle hybrid and EV-related situations.

This public-private collaboration highlights the company’s dedication to promoting safety, technical expertise, and workforce empowerment across the UAE.

Setting a Benchmark in Automotive Training

IMI accreditation has positioned Al-Futtaim Automotive as a benchmark talent organization, enhancing its reputation and attracting top talent. This alignment with IMI standards also ensures compliance with industry regulations and best practices, further solidifying its leadership in the EV transition.

Founded in 1920, the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) is a global professional body dedicated to upskilling the automotive workforce. With a strong focus on emerging technologies such as EVs and Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS), IMI accreditation sets the standard for excellence in automotive training and professional development.

Al-Futtaim Automotive’s record-setting initiative has gained industry-wide recognition, prompting IMI to prepare a case study showcasing its scalable and high-impact training model.

A Future-Ready Workforce for a Sustainable Tomorrow

As the UAE’s EV market grows, Al-Futtaim Automotive is proactively addressing the rising demand for talent in the automotive sector. The company plans to certify an additional 1,500 associates by the end of 2025 and expand training programmes to include hydrogen fuel cell technology and ADAS.

Al-Futtaim Automotive is enhancing its competitive edge and reinforcing its role as a key driver of the UAE’s net-zero ambitions by aligning workforce development with advancements in automotive technology.