Electric vehicle boom drives push to train more local technicians

The Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) has completed its fifth Electric Vehicle (EV)/Hybrid Maintenance and Repairs training programme, adding 25 locally trained auto electricians and mechanical technicians to the pool of professionals being prepared to service the country’s growing electric mobility fleet. The latest cohort completed the training between September 14 and 18 and September 21 and 24, 2026, at the Mahaicony Technical and Vocational Training Centre (MTVTC). The programme is part of the Government’s wider effort to expand technical and vocational training while developing the skills required to support the transition to electric and hybrid vehicles. At a closing ceremony, GEA Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr Mahender Sharma, urged the graduates to maintain discipline, diligence and commitment as they move from the training environment into the workplace.

He encouraged the technicians to continue applying the knowledge and practical skills acquired during the programme, particularly as demand for specialised EV and hybrid vehicle maintenance services increases. The latest training brings to 102 the number of auto electricians and mechanical technicians trained by the GEA in EV and hybrid vehicle maintenance and repairs, according to Permanent Secretary (PS) in the Office of the Prime Minister (PM) Alfred King. The training programme is being implemented against the backdrop of increasing electric mobility in Guyana, with the Government also expanding the infrastructure required to support the growing number of EVs on the country’s roads.

According to GEA in a social media post on Saturday, the programme combines classroom instruction with practical training, with participants learning how to safely work with the high-voltage systems found in electric and hybrid vehicles. Among the areas covered were the safe opening of EV battery packs, identification and diagnosis of faulty battery cells, and the procedures required for repairing and reassembling battery packs. The graduates are expected to receive internationally recognised certification from the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI), covering Level 3 and Level 4 training. The certification is intended to provide participants with recognised technical qualifications as they enter or expand their roles in the emerging electric mobility industry. Director of the GEA Board, Dr Vivian Lam said the new cohort represents an opportunity to support greater adoption of electric and hybrid vehicles by ensuring that specialised technical expertise is available locally. He noted that the graduates could also explore entrepreneurship as investment and financing opportunities expand. Lam pointed specifically to increasing Government investments and institutions such as the Guyana Development Bank (GDB) which he said could create opportunities for graduates seeking to establish businesses or otherwise apply their specialised skills within the sector. He encouraged the technicians to consider how they could establish themselves in the industry, use their skills commercially and reinvest their knowledge and expertise.