As part of efforts to equip young people with technical skills in electric vehicle (EV) maintenance and manufacturing, the Cross River State Government has concluded arrangements to commence the training of 100 youths across the state in June.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Local Content, Ambassador Awatt Caleb, disclosed this while speaking with journalists in Calabar over the weekend.

He said the training, under the Local Content VOSEP Initiative, will provide free technical education to 100 youths drawn from the state’s 18 local government areas, positioning them to take advantage of emerging opportunities in Nigeria’s renewable energy and green transportation sectors.

According to Caleb, the programme is part of the state government’s broader vision to empower young people with future-ready skills while preparing Cross River for the increasing adoption of electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies.

“One of the biggest challenges in the coming years will be who services electric vehicles when they develop faults. Through this initiative, we are equipping 100 Cross River youths with the skills to fill that critical gap,” he said.

He noted that as electric vehicles gradually gain acceptance in Nigeria, it is important for Cross River to develop the technical expertise and manpower needed to support the industry.

The programme, scheduled to commence in June, will target engineering students of Cross River origin and other young people interested in automotive technology.

Caleb said the initiative aligns with the administration of Governor Senator Bassey Out’s commitment to creating opportunities for youths and preparing them for careers in emerging industries.

He added that partnerships with automotive manufacturers, including Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM), as well as other stakeholders in the sector, would help ensure the availability of skilled local manpower to support electric vehicle adoption in the state.

“Today, if you drive past 20 vehicles in the city, you are likely to see at least one electric vehicle. Like every other vehicle, it will require servicing at some point. The critical question is: who will repair it when it develops faults?” he asked.

“To meet this need, the Local Content Office is working to upskill our youths in the automotive sector, particularly in the safe handling of high-voltage systems used in electric and hybrid vehicles.”

He explained that the training programme would help establish industry standards while creating a pool of qualified technicians capable of supporting the state’s transition to sustainable transportation.

According to him, the initiative is being implemented in collaboration with Japanese automotive repair engineers and the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC).

Caleb expressed confidence that the programme would enhance youth employability and contribute to the state’s long-term economic development by creating a skilled workforce for the emerging green economy. (The Guardian)