Recharging Education: How an Australian College is powering Southeast Asia’s green transport revolution

Governments across Southeast Asia are ramping up electric vehicle (EV) incentives, tax breaks, and infrastructure funding in an attempt to curb transport-related emissions. Yet as policy accelerates, workforce readiness is lagging behind. The Philippines, Thailand, and Indonesia have each introduced national EV roadmaps, but all three face a common constraint: the shortage of skilled workers who can service, maintain, and manage electric transport systems.

According to the International Labour Organization, Southeast Asia could create more than 6 million green jobs by 2030 if it meets its climate goals, many of those in the automotive and energy sectors. But current vocational and academic pipelines are largely tailored to internal combustion engines. 

Photo Courtesy of: Nova Anglia College

Australia’s Nova Anglia College is seeking to fill that gap, particularly for students in the region who don’t come from engineering backgrounds. Based in Melbourne, the institution recently launched the Bachelor of Technology in Electric Vehicle, a non-engineering degree designed to train a new workforce for EV support and after-sales roles.

A Different Pathway into the EV Industry

Nova Anglia College’s program is unusual. Most EV-focused degrees are rooted in mechanical or electrical engineering. In contrast, this qualification integrates theoretical and practical modules without requiring an engineering prerequisite. The curriculum covers electric drivetrains, battery diagnostics, EV safety protocols, and workshop simulations.

The college says it is targeting Filipino, Vietnamese, and Indonesian students—countries with rapidly expanding EV markets but underdeveloped service infrastructure. In the Philippines, for instance, registered EVs more than doubled between 2022 and 2023, according to the Land Transportation Office. Yet technical schools still lack EV-focused tracks, leaving a gap in middle-skill roles critical to the sector’s scaling.

“We designed this program after speaking with auto service providers and policymakers,” said Harpreet Kaur, who led the qualification’s design. “They all said the same thing: there’s a missing link between theory and practical readiness. That’s what we tried to solve.”

A Response to Global and Regional Pressure

Southeast Asia accounts for more than 25% of global vehicle production, according to McKinsey, and countries like Thailand have stated clear targets for EV manufacturing dominance. Meanwhile, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is pushing for regional policy alignment on EV incentives and emissions reductions.

Despite these efforts, local training programs have not kept pace. A 2024 report by the Asian Development Bank found that fewer than 10% of technical colleges in the region offered EV-specific modules. Industry insiders warn that unless countries invest in education, ambitious goals will be undermined by talent shortages.

Nova Anglia’s course, accredited by Australian authorities, offers one possible solution. By removing the engineering barrier, the program broadens access to students with a general education background. Coursework is paired with lab work, industrial placements, and projects developed in collaboration with automotive partners.

“This is not about replacing engineers,” said Kaur. “It’s about creating another layer of competency—people who can work in service centers, manage EV fleets, and respond to the operational needs that come with electrification.”

Filipino Students Among Key Beneficiaries

The Philippines, which passed the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA) in 2022, mandates that government fleets and public transport systems transition to electric. But while procurement is growing, so is the need for maintenance crews, parts specialists, and safety officers trained in electric systems.

Nova Anglia has already begun outreach efforts with educational agents and industry bodies in Manila. Filipino students represent one of the largest international student groups in Australia, and the college is banking on that existing pipeline to attract applicants.

According to the Australian Department of Education, over 17,000 Filipino students were enrolled in Australian institutions in 2023. The college aims to offer pathways that provide not just education but job readiness in a sector with rising demand.

“The interest from the Philippines has been strong, especially among students who are technically inclined but didn’t see a place for themselves in traditional engineering programs,” Kaur said. “They want something hands-on, something that leads to real work. That’s what we offer.”

Not Just Degrees, But Systems Thinking

Nova Anglia is also trying to position its program within the larger conversation around energy transitions and systems thinking. Courses include modules on sustainability reporting, transport policy, and life-cycle analysis of EV technologies—subjects often absent in standard vocational tracks.

The aim, Kaur says, is to prepare students for more than mechanical work. “We’re training people who can participate in a complex shift, not just turning wrenches, but making decisions in fleets, utilities, and municipalities that are going electric.”

That broader orientation may become critical as Southeast Asia moves beyond early adoption into mainstream electrification. With EV sales in the region expected to grow at over 30% annually through 2030, according to Frost & Sullivan, the need for a flexible, job-ready workforce will only increase.

Connecting Regional Ambitions with Global Educational Networks

Nova Anglia College is still early in its rollout, and its long-term impact remains to be seen. But its timing and its attention to a neglected segment of the labor market reflect a growing recognition that electrification is not just about hardware or software. It’s about people.

Whether it’s a Filipino technician working on a public bus fleet, or a Vietnamese graduate managing battery logistics for an e-motorbike network, the region’s EV goals will hinge on education systems that adapt quickly and inclusively.

This June, representatives from Nova Anglia College will attend ICEF Philippines, an international education networking event in Manila, where they will meet with prospective students and educational agents to discuss pathways into Australia’s clean transport workforce. The event, part of a broader effort to connect Southeast Asian talent with international institutions, underscores how colleges are responding to evolving regional needs with direct outreach.

Australia’s Nova Anglia College may not be the only institution exploring that space, but it is one of the first to shape a new kind of educational offering for a rapidly changing transport sector.

ADVT. 

This article is brought to you by Baden Bower