The automotive sector in South Africa is preparing its workforce for the electric future with the introduction of a comprehensive Electromobility Occupational Skills Programme, set to become the country's first nationally accredited qualification for EV and hybrid vehicle technicians.
Bridging the Skills Gap
Under the leadership of merSETA, working alongside the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) and the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI), the initiative addresses a critical skills shortage as electric mobility gains momentum across the country. According to Naphtaly Mokgotsane, Acting CEO of merSETA, the organisation has been tasked by QCTO to spearhead this essential development.
The programme's foundations were established in May 2025, with significant momentum building through October following the selection of a Service Provider to guide the qualification's creation.
From Policy to Practice
Louis van Huyssteen, National Training Director at RMI, highlights a persistent challenge in South African skills development: while the legislative framework exists, translating policy into practical training programmes remains problematic. The new qualification aims to change this through a rigorous development pathway encompassing scoping, quality partnership establishment, facilitator selection, expert-led curriculum design, formal registration, and eventual rollout.
The urgency is underscored by safety considerations. Van Huyssteen emphasises the serious hazards technicians face when working on electric vehicles without proper certification, particularly when handling high-voltage battery systems, advanced diagnostics, and safety protocols required for the Just Energy Transition framework.
Market Expansion Drives Demand
The South African EV market has experienced notable growth, with ninety models from twenty manufacturers available by 2024, including premium brands like Porsche, Audi, BMW and Mercedes Benz, alongside volume manufacturers such as Toyota, Volvo, BYD, Chery and Great Wall Motors. The portfolio expanded further in 2025 with additions from Changan, Deepal and TATA, many offering both fully electric and hybrid variants.
This manufacturer commitment reflects growing confidence in South Africa's electromobility potential, reinforced by President Ramaphosa's consistent advocacy for EV adoption in successive State of the Nation Addresses. While current sales volumes remain relatively low, industry projections indicate substantial growth ahead.
Industry-Wide Impact
Mkhululi Mlota, Chief Director for Automotives at the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, praised the initiative as tangible progress on the EV White Paper implementation, commending RMI's leadership in establishing formal electromobility credentials.
The qualification's reach will extend throughout the automotive value chain, benefiting original equipment manufacturers, body repair facilities, independent service centres, TVET colleges and private training organisations. Sabelo Buthelezi, Chief Director of the Department of Higher Education and Training's Special Projects Unit, notes that TVET Centres of Specialisation focusing on motor and diesel mechanics are ideally positioned to incorporate this qualification, enhancing graduate employability in an expanding sector.
Replacing Ad Hoc Training
A key advantage of the new qualification is its role in standardising training across the industry. It will supplant expensive, unaccredited programmes with a formal credential recognised nationally, providing both employers and technicians with confidence in skill levels.
According to RMI CEO Ipeleng Mabusela, the automotive landscape is experiencing fundamental transformation toward electromobility, creating escalating demand for qualified EV specialists. She credits Training Director Louis van Huyssteen and Training Manager Boitumelo Mphanya with maintaining focus on this need for over six years, evolving the concept from two knowledge modules within the Transportation Electrician qualification into a comprehensive occupational skills programme meeting QCTO standards.
An official announcement from merSETA inviting stakeholder participation in the qualification development is anticipated shortly. Mabusela concludes that formalising this qualification marks a watershed moment for South Africa's automotive aftermarket, ensuring the workforce possesses credible, respected credentials as the nation advances toward sustainable, technology-driven mobility.