Louis Van Huyssteen, RMI National Training Director<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\u201cElectric and hybrid vehicles are not just changing the cars we drive \u2013 they are fundamentally changing the skills required to service and repair them,\u201d says Louis van Huyssteen, National Training Director at the RMI. \u201cWithout structured, accredited training, the risks associated with high-voltage systems and advanced vehicle technologies are significant.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Initiatives such as the development of South Africa\u2019s first nationally recognised electromobility qualification, led by merSETA and the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO), mark a critical step forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These programmes aim to standardise training, ensure safety, and equip technicians with the competencies needed to work confidently on modern vehicles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAt the moment, much of the training in this space is fragmented,\u201d Van Huyssteen adds. \u201cFormalising a national qualification ensures consistency, credibility and, most importantly, safety across the entire automotive value chain.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the same time, international partnerships are playing an increasingly important role.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Collaboration with organisations such as the German Chamber of Crafts Erfurt brings global best practice into the local context, particularly through dual education models that combine theory with hands-on workplace experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis alignment is essential. The impact of new vehicle technologies is often felt first in the aftermarket \u2013 long before mass adoption is visible in sales figures. Our member businesses must therefore be ready ahead of the curve, not in response to it,\u201d says Van Huyssteen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He says the aftermarket doesn\u2019t have the luxury of waiting for volumes to increase. \u201cTechnicians need to be ready before the vehicles arrive in significant numbers. That\u2019s why skills development must move ahead of the market.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The shift is not only technical but also structural.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Training institutions, particularly TVET colleges, are being called upon to evolve rapidly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lecturer development, updated curricula, and properly equipped training facilities are no longer optional \u2013 they are prerequisites for a future-fit workforce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Encouragingly, momentum is building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Industry stakeholders are working more closely than ever to create a coordinated, scalable skills ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The integration of occupational qualifications, workplace-based training and international expertise is helping to bridge the gap between education and employment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Looking ahead, more practical support is already in development for members – including basic electric vehicle awareness and safety training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This will be critical in ensuring that even at entry level, businesses are equipped to engage safely and confidently with emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yet, the challenge remains significant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Technology will continue to advance, and the pace of change will only accelerate. Businesses across the automotive value chain need to adapt proactively or risk being left behind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe future of the automotive sector will be defined by how well we prepare our people today,\u201d Van Huyssteen concludes. \u201cIf we get the skills right, the industry will not only adapt \u2013 it will thrive.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Learn more about the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI)<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The future car parc will look very different from today\u2019s. It will be more electrified, more connected and increasingly software-driven.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":57,"featured_media":858881,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10459],"tags":[25312,24891,4453],"class_list":["post-858873","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-industry-news","tag-automotive-aftermarket","tag-retail-motor-industry-organisation","tag-rmi"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/858873","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/57"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=858873"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/858873\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":858976,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/858873\/revisions\/858976"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/858881"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=858873"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=858873"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=858873"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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