Free CPD-accredited course equips workers with the practical skills to service electric vehicles as global EV adoption outpaces the automotive workforce's ability to keep up
Electric vehicles are no longer the future — they're already on the roads, in driveways, and pulling into workshops where the mechanic on duty was trained entirely on petrol engines. More than 20 million electric cars were sold worldwide in 2025, meaning one in every four new cars sold was electric. Meanwhile, EV adoption in emerging and developing economies is accelerating even faster, with sales rising by around 80% in 2025 alone. Across Africa, markets such as Kenya, South Africa and Egypt are seeing rapid growth, with Kenya's electric motorcycle sector already reaching around 10% of new motorcycle sales. The transition is happening. The workforce isn't ready.
Alison has launched a new free, CPD-accredited course — Practical Electric Vehicle Mechanic Training — to address that gap directly. Developed with automotive market researcher and EV analyst Gebrecherkos Sahle, the course teaches learners how to safely work on electric vehicles from the ground up: high-voltage systems, battery inspection, charging infrastructure, diagnostic tools, and fault-finding in EV-specific components. No prior EV experience is required.
A Skills Crisis Hidden Inside a Green Revolution
The automotive industry is facing a paradox. EV sales are breaking records globally, yet the majority of the world's mechanics remain trained exclusively on internal combustion engines. EVs require fundamentally different knowledge — high-voltage safety protocols, battery management systems, and software-driven diagnostics that simply don't exist in traditional mechanic training. In markets where EV adoption is newest and fastest-growing, such as across sub-Saharan Africa, the skills shortage is most acute: vehicles are arriving before the technicians who can service them.
The course is built for anyone who wants to enter or transition within the automotive industry — whether a student, a working mechanic looking to future-proof their career, or an entrepreneurial technician in an emerging market spotting an underserved need. It covers EV system fundamentals, electrical safety, workshop setup, charging systems, and practical diagnostic procedures, and is accessible through any desktop browser or the Alison App on Android and iOS.
Why the EV Workforce Gap Can't Wait
Gebrecherkos Sahle stated: "The automotive market, especially EVs, is growing rapidly, with constant changes in technology, pricing, and demand. Staying updated and using data-driven insights is key to making smart decisions in this evolving industry."
This launch is part of Alison's growing portfolio of practical vocational and technical training courses, reflecting its commitment to ensuring that the green economy creates opportunity rather than exclusion — and that the skills demanded by a rapidly changing world remain freely available to everyone.
To learn more or enrol, visit: https://alison.com/course/practical-electric-vehicle-mechanic-training
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About Alison
Alison is a global leader in free online learning and skills development. With over 50 million registered learners across 193 countries (as of October 2025), Alison empowers individuals, communities, and organisations to upskill quickly and effectively – at zero cost.
The Alison platform provides immediate access to over 6,000 free, CPD-accredited courses, covering essential areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Cybersecurity, Digital Marketing, Project Management, Business Operations, Healthcare and Sustainability. Courses are created by a mix of independent experts and global leaders, including IBM, Stanford and Microsoft.
For organisations, Alison offers a Free Learning Management System (LMS) that enables unlimited learners to access thousands of courses with no upfront cost. A premium version with advanced analytics and customisation is also available. Alison's offering includes a full suite of assessments and psychometric tools, including a Workplace Personality Assessment, Mental Health & Wellbeing Assessment, English Language Proficiency Test, as well as Numerical, Verbal, and Abstract Reasoning tests.
To further support career development, learners also gain access to a Career Guide, a Resumé Builder, and the ability to study offline through the Alison App. The platform is also expanding its reach with multilingual versions, starting with complete Spanish, French, and Hindi offerings — reaffirming its mission to make education accessible to anyone, anywhere.
Founded in 2007, Alison pioneered the concept of free, large-scale online learning and is recognised as the world’s first MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) platform. Today, its mission continues: to break down barriers to learning, helping people gain skills, build confidence, and improve their lives — no matter where they live or what they earn.
