Assessing Automotive Graduates’ Readiness and Skills Gaps for Electric Vehicle Repair and Maintenance: Evidence from Automotive Service Garages in Kumasi, Ghana

Abstract

Ghana’s automotive sector has significant opportunities for the transition from Internal Combustion (IC) to electric vehicles. Current training remains largely IC-engine focused. TVET programmes, apprenticeship training, and automotive education curricula must align with emerging EV technologies and evolving workforce needs. This study aimed to assess automotive graduates’ preparedness for electric vehicle (EV) repair and maintenance in Kumasi, Ghana, identify critical competency gaps, and determine priorities for strengthening workforce readiness. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among automotive engineering graduates, technicians, industry professionals, and academic staff in Kumasi, Ghana, using a multi-stage stratified sampling approach. A total of 753 eligible respondents provided usable responses to the structured online questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical techniques, and all statistical analyses were performed in R version 4.3.2 and IBM SPSS Statistics version 20. The study revealed a substantial competency gap in EV knowledge, technical skills, and practical competencies, with 51.1% of respondents lacking knowledge in EV fault diagnosis. The findings underscore the need to prioritize periodic practical EV repair and maintenance training, industry internships and apprenticeships, and stronger collaboration between industry and training institutions to enhance graduate competencies and workforce readiness for the transition to electric mobility in Ghana.