South Australia is introducing its first dedicated electric vehicle trade apprenticeship following a surge in electric vehicle sales and growing industry demand.
The new Certificate III in Automotive Electric Vehicle Technology will provide a four-year apprenticeship pathway focused on servicing, diagnosing and repairing electric vehicles.
This will help address workforce shortages as more South Australians switch to battery electric, plug-in hybrid and hybrid vehicles.
The State Government will subsidise training places under the program, reducing the cost of gaining qualifications in what is becoming one of the automotive sector's fastest-growing fields.
Electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles accounted for about 23 per cent of all new vehicle sales in South Australia during the first six months of 2026, representing almost one in every four new vehicles sold.
Industry figures show battery electric vehicle sales in June 2026 rose 144 per cent compared with the same month a year earlier, while plug-in hybrid vehicle sales increased 98 per cent over the same period.
The apprenticeship will be delivered by MTA Training and Employment, which will train new apprentices entering the industry while also offering opportunities for existing automotive workers to gain specialist EV skills.
Motor Trade Association SA/NT chief executive Darrell Jacobs said the new qualification would help equip apprentices with the expertise needed for the future of automotive work.
"As sales accelerate, our local workforce must be ready to service and repair the growing number of motorists driving electric vehicles on our roads," Mr Jacobs said.
Among those welcoming the initiative is Eagers Automotive, one of the state's largest automotive retail groups.
Eagers Automotive Regional HR Manager SA/NT Jenny Seal said specialised EV training pathways were becoming increasingly important for the industry.
"Dedicated EV apprenticeship pathways are not just a nice to have, they are essential for our business and the customers we service," Ms Seal said.
Eagers Automotive apprentice Sayed Atai said the qualification would help prepare workers for the future of the industry.
"When I think about completing my apprenticeship in four years' time and the cars that will be on our roads, it makes sense to put myself ahead of the curve," Mr Atai said.
"Electric vehicles represent the cutting edge of this industry and I'm excited about getting hands on with the latest automotive technology."
The qualification will provide transferable EV servicing skills across the automotive sector, regardless of manufacturer, and qualified individuals will be able to service, diagnose and repair battery electric vehicles and components to national standards.
The Certificate III in Automotive Electric Vehicle Technology is expected to be added to South Australia's Subsidised Traineeship and Apprenticeship List next month.
