Cross River Govt. rolls out EV skills programme for youths
The Cross River State Government has unveiled plans to train 100 youths in electric vehicle maintenance, repair, and manufacturing as part of a broader initiative aimed at building technical capacity and preparing young people for emerging opportunities in the fast-growing electric mobility industry.
The initiative is part of the state’s strategic efforts to position Cross River for future opportunities in the renewable energy and green transportation sector by equipping youths with relevant skills that align with global shifts toward sustainable and environmentally friendly technologies.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Local Content, Awatt Caleb, disclosed this while briefing journalists on the state government’s Local Content VOSEP Initiative.
According to him, beneficiaries of the programme will be drawn from the state’s 18 local government areas and equipped with practical skills in the maintenance and servicing of electric buses, cars and tricycles.
Caleb said the initiative was designed to address the growing demand for skilled manpower in the electric vehicle industry and ensure that Cross River is not left behind as the adoption of clean-energy transportation gathers momentum across the country.
He noted that one of the major challenges that could arise with the increasing use of electric vehicles would be the shortage of qualified technicians to handle repairs and maintenance.
“One of the biggest challenges in the coming years will be who services electric vehicles in Cross River State when they develop faults. Through this programme, we are preparing our youths to fill that critical gap,” he said.
The governor’s aide explained that the training, scheduled to commence in June, would target engineering students of Cross River origin and other qualified young persons interested in building careers in the automotive and renewable energy sectors.
He added that the programme would expose participants to modern technologies involved in electric vehicle operations, including the safe handling of high-voltage systems used in electric and hybrid vehicles.
Caleb further disclosed that the initiative would be implemented in partnership with Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing, the National Automotive Design and Development Council and a team of Japanese auto-repair engineers.
According to him, the collaboration is expected to strengthen local technical capacity and create a pool of skilled personnel capable of supporting the state’s transition towards cleaner and more sustainable transportation systems.
He said the programme aligns with the administration’s youth empowerment agenda and broader efforts to create employment opportunities through innovation, technology and local content development.