After more than six years of advocacy and planning, South Africa is set to establish its first nationally recognised qualification for electric and hybrid vehicle technicians, marking a pivotal moment in the country's transition to sustainable transportation.
A Long-Awaited Development
The Electromobility Occupational Skills Programme represents what Naphtaly Mokgotsane, Acting CEO of merSETA, describes as a "long-overdue groundbreaking development." Following appointment by the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations, merSETA is now leading the qualification's creation in partnership with the Retail Motor Industry Organisation and key industry players.
Initial planning commenced in May 2025, with the project advancing significantly by October through the appointment of a Service Provider. For RMI CEO Ipeleng Mabusela, this achievement reflects persistent efforts by Training Director Louis van Huyssteen and Training Manager Boitumelo Mphanya, who have championed the cause since its inception.
Addressing Critical Safety Concerns
The qualification tackles a pressing safety issue within the automotive service sector. Van Huyssteen, RMI's National Training Director, warns that technicians working on electric vehicles without proper certification face serious risks, particularly when dealing with high-voltage battery systems and complex diagnostic procedures.
While South Africa maintains robust skills development legislation, Van Huyssteen points to implementation gaps as the genuine obstacle. The new qualification follows a comprehensive development framework: initial scoping, Development Quality Partner appointment, facilitator procurement, curriculum creation by industry practitioners, registration, and deployment.
This structured approach aims to produce technicians capable of managing the specific demands of electric mobility, including battery technology, advanced diagnostics, and safety protocols aligned with the country's Just Energy Transition objectives.
Growing Market Creates Urgency
The timing proves opportune as South Africa's electric vehicle landscape evolves rapidly. By 2024, consumers could choose from ninety models across twenty brands, encompassing luxury marques such as Porsche, Audi, BMW and Mercedes Benz, through to mainstream options from Toyota, Volvo, BYD, Chery and Great Wall Motors. The selection broadened in 2025 with Changan, Deepal and TATA entering the market, with numerous manufacturers providing electric or hybrid alternatives.
Despite currently modest sales figures, the sector anticipates substantial expansion, particularly given President Ramaphosa's repeated emphasis on electric vehicle adoption in State of the Nation Addresses. Manufacturer investment signals strong confidence in South Africa's electromobility trajectory.
Government Backing Strengthens Initiative
The qualification has garnered support across government departments. Mkhululi Mlota, Chief Director for Automotives at the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, applauds RMI's initiative as concrete evidence of EV White Paper implementation, expressing departmental pride in the organisation's leadership.
Sabelo Buthelezi, Chief Director of the Department of Higher Education and Training's Special Projects Unit, sees natural synergies with existing infrastructure. TVET college Centres of Specialisation already focused on motor and diesel mechanics can readily integrate the new qualification, simultaneously improving graduate employment prospects and addressing emerging market requirements.
Transforming Training Standards
The programme will revolutionise skills development across the automotive ecosystem, delivering benefits to original equipment manufacturers, motor body repair operations, independent workshops, public TVET institutions and accredited training providers alike. Its introduction will eliminate reliance on expensive, unaccredited training courses, replacing them with a formal programme carrying genuine national recognition and credibility.
Mabusela emphasises the scale of transformation underway: "The automotive industry in South Africa is undergoing a significant transformation towards electromobility. The need for skilled professionals in EV technology will become greater." The new qualification evolves beyond the two knowledge modules previously included in the Transportation Electrician qualification, establishing a complete occupational skills programme meeting QCTO standards.
Next Steps
merSETA is expected to issue a formal call for interested parties to participate in the qualification development process in the near future. As Mabusela concludes, this formalisation represents a milestone for South Africa's automotive aftermarket, ensuring the workforce holds reputable, credible qualifications while driving the nation's sustainable, technology-focused mobility future responsibly.
