The electric vehicle (EV) industry is growing fast, and so is the need for skilled technicians who can keep this new generation of cars on the road. In fact, in Egypt the number of licensed EVs has already surged past 7,000, nearly double last year’s total (MDPI, 2025), underlining the pace of change. To help meet this demand, Abou Ghaly Motors (AGM) partnered with People 1st International to develop an EV maintenance and repair training programme, delivered by NASS Academy and funded by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to equip young people with the skills needed for careers in this rapidly growing sector.

The 22-hour programme blends classroom theory with practical, hands-on experience at AGM’s workshops. It covers everything from EV systems and high-voltage safety to diagnostics and risk management, but what really stands out is the impact it’s having on the trainees themselves.

Across their experiences, three key themes emerge:

1. Curiosity turns into career confidence

Many participants came to the course eager to explore opportunities in the EV sector. While some had only studied the technology in theory and others were curious to see how it worked in practice, all shared a clear interest in learning more. And the moment they stepped into the practical workshops, that interest quickly turned into real enthusiasm as they saw the technology – and the career possibilities – come to life.

Mohamed Farag, for example, described watching engineers fix a major EV fault as “eye-opening”, a moment that left him determined to join the sector. Similarly, John Maher, who started with almost no EV knowledge, left saying the training made him so much more confident in his abilities and eager to keep learning.

For 18-year-old Abdel Rahman Hassan, the experience was even more transformative. Visiting AGM’s Mercedes EV workshops felt, in his words, “like a dream.” Working alongside engineers on a real faulty EV battery gave him the kind of practical insight that textbooks could never deliver and inspired him to pursue more training opportunities in the future.

2. Hands-on learning makes the difference

The programme combines essential theory, covering key concepts like EV systems, risk management, and technical applications, with immersive, hands-on learning. While the classroom sessions built a strong foundation, it was the chance to apply that knowledge in real workshop settings, isolating high-voltage systems, testing diagnostics and observing safety procedures in action, that really brought the training to life for participants.

Aya Ayman, an 18-year-old technical school student, said the practical sessions were the first time she’d seen EV components up close rather than just in diagrams.

She said the hands-on training helped her understand how safety principles work in practice and why they matter, making the learning experience much more real.

By the end, Aya felt far more prepared to handle high-voltage systems, though she noted she still wants more practice before working independently, a sign that the course gave her both skills and self-awareness about what comes next.

3. Breaking barriers and opening doors

For Aya, the experience carried another important message: EV maintenance isn’t just for men. As one of the few female trainees, she left the programme convinced the field was open to everyone with the ambition to succeed.

Others spoke about how the training boosted their career prospects. Mohamed Farag believes the certification will give him a “competitive edge” in job hunting, while Abdel Rahman sees it as the first step in building a strong CV in a sector with limited local training opportunities.

Even those who started out unsure about EVs ended the course encouraging friends and classmates to join the next intake, proof that the programme doesn’t just train individuals; it builds momentum for a whole new generation of EV talent.

Driving the future

With Egypt moving towards a more sustainable automotive industry, this training is doing more than teaching technical skills. It is building confidence, opening career pathways and inspiring a new generation to see themselves in the heart of the country’s EV transition. With growing interest and tangible results, the programme marks an important step in preparing young talent for the opportunities ahead.