SA automotive association to train 50,000 on EVs

From the newsletter

The Automotive Industry Development Centre (AIDC) in South Africa has joined forces with Chrisnelsa, an automotive quality control company, to launch an EV training centre. The facility will focus on training in battery management and vehicle dynamics as well as collaborate with third parties for emergency incident training..

• The association wants to train 50,000 individuals in electric vehicle and hybrid electric vehicle (EV/HEV) technologies across South Africa and the rest of Africa by 2030.

• This comes at a time when South Africa is revising its automotive white paper to ensure it positions itself as a key manufacturer of EVs.

More details

• South Africa's automotive sector employs about half a million people, both directly and indirectly. Most of the workforce is trained on fuel-powered vehicles, and as global forces push towards EVs, they need to reskill to remain relevant in the new market.

• The country aims to produce 1.4 million vehicles annually by 2035, with an aspirational 60% local content. Achieving this requires significant upskilling of new market entrants and reskilling of existing workers. The launch of the training facility is a step towards this goal.

• Many African countries lack dedicated training facilities for EVs. While some are creating training events to upskill the workforce and introduce them to EVs, these events often lack the depth required for serious workforce development. Effective training should combine comprehensive content with hands-on interaction with EV technology.

• A few African countries are attempting to develop dedicated training facilities for workforce development. EV manufacturers are partnering with training institutions to ensure that the necessary skills are developed effectively. In Kenya, the Advanced Mobility Centre aims to train 25,000 people in five years. It has established a training facility that provides both theoretical and practical instruction.

• Manufacturers are also building their own training facilities and inviting training institutions to partner with them. Spiro has built its training academy in partnership with the Technical University of Kenya, Fleming Technical Institute, and India University to provide high-quality, relevant training.

• In Uganda, Kiira Motors has partnered with the UNDP and Makerere University to provide training for its sought-after workforce through a year-long fellowship program targeting 25 students annually.

• In Nigeria, the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) has invested in training Nigerian engineers in advanced design and manufacturing techniques. Their goal is to increase the local content of assembled vehicles from less than 1% to 40%.

• In Senegal, Proxy Mobility has partnered with Yoff municipality to elevate EV training, financing, and sustainable impact.

Our take

• Africa has ambitions to localise its manufacturing. This needs to start with training a skilled workforce to support the sector. Workforce development is necessary before localisation can truly take hold, or else Africa will end up putting the cart before the horse.

• This training needs to begin early, starting with school curricula. The curriculum needs to be revised and updated with the latest technological content relevant to the industries Africa wants to develop. This will help Africa stand independent.

• However, training shouldn't focus solely on repair and maintenance skills, and it shouldn't be delivered as a one-day event where participants only hear about EVs without practical experience. The training should be comprehensive and include serious practical experience and exposure to EV technologies. Investments in research and development are also crucial. It's essential not just to train technicians, but also to build a pool of research experts who will help Africa innovate in the EV sector.