MTA NSW congratulates NSW Government on Investment in Electric Vehicle Training for Regional Workforce

The Motor Traders' Association of New South Wales (MTA NSW) has welcomed the NSW Government's commitment to fund upskilling for up to 2,000 auto technicians across regional NSW as part of their 2026 Electric Vehicle Strategy, a move the association has been actively advocating for since 2022.

The Strategy commits funding to deliver the nationally recognised Battery Electric Vehicle Inspection and Servicing Skill Set to mechanics across regional NSW, with a focus on areas with the highest concentration of EV owners and EV travel corridors.

"This is a direct result of sustained industry advocacy and we're pleased the NSW Government has listened," said Stavros Yallouridis, CEO of MTA NSW. "This commitment is the right response, at the right time.”

MTA NSW included the need for a dedicated EV auto technician upskilling program in its pre-budget submission last year, arguing that workforce readiness is as critical to the EV transition as charging infrastructure or consumer incentives.

"You can build all the chargers in the world, but if a driver in Dubbo or Tamworth can't get their EV serviced locally, consumer confidence will stall," Mr Yallouridis said. "Training regional technicians is not a nice-to-have; it is essential infrastructure for the transition."

The timing of the announcement aligns with a surge in EV interest across NSW. EV sales reached a record 15.6 per cent of new car sales in NSW in March 2026, with more than 117,000 EVs now registered across the state. As the fleet grows, so too does the urgency of having trained technicians available outside the major cities.

As the largest independent, non-profit automotive training provider in NSW, MTA NSW is well placed to support the delivery of the upskilling program. The association has long championed the Battery Electric Vehicle Inspection and Servicing Skill Set as the appropriate entry-level qualification for currently licensed mechanics looking to work safely on EVs.

"We welcome the opportunity to work with the NSW Government on delivering this training at scale," Mr Yallouridis said. "Our apprentice completion rates consistently exceed the national average, and our regional presence means we can reach the workshops that need this training most."

MTA NSW will continue to engage with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water and relevant training agencies as implementation details are finalised.