UWI Mona’s Leadership Builds Capacity in Electric Mobility for NDC-TEC in the Caribbean
NDC TEC is making significant strides in accelerating the Caribbean's transition to sustainable transport through its critical partnership with the University of the West Indies.
© Brian Constantine/CARICOM Secretariat
The NDC-TEC project, launched in 2023, is making significant strides in accelerating the Caribbean's transition to sustainable transport, among others through the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). Through the critical partnership with the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus in Jamaica, it is financing EV training for five Small Island Developing States (SIDS) across the region.
UWI Mona has emerged as a leader in driving the Caribbean's shift to a cleaner future, leveraging its expertise in research, education, and policy advocacy. The University initiated its efforts with a comprehensive training needs assessment across the five participating Caribbean states. Academic staff then utilized this data to design and deliver targeted programs, successfully transferring knowledge and building capacity in EV technologies throughout the region. To date, over 300 individuals, including university students, regional instructors (from secondary, technical, vocational, and university levels), and first responders, have benefited from these programs.
UWI delivered a self-paced, six-week "EV Technologies for Teachers" course across the Region, where 114 teachers were awarded certificates of completion. This extensive outreach is a testament to collaborative efforts with commercial operators in the transportation sector, the Jamaican-German Automotive School (JAGAS), and institutions like the Caribbean Association of National Training Authorities (CANTA). Looking ahead, UWI will further enhance practical training with a drivable EV laboratory kit, designed for hands-on assembly and disassembly.
According to Ms Ina de Visser, Head of the NDC-TEC Programme, “the progress made by UWI Mona under the NDC-TEC Programme is truly commendable. Their commitment to building local capacity and establishing robust standards is crucial for equipping the entire Caribbean region for a cleaner future.”
© David Barret/NDC-TEC
A cornerstone of UWI's commitment to quality and competence in the EV sector is the development of occupational standards for Levels 3 and 4. These crucial standards, vital for ensuring skilled professionals, have received approval from CANTA. This achievement is the result of close collaboration with Regional TVET institutions, Jamaica Human Education and Resource Training National Skills Training Agency (HEART-NSTA) through its Jamaica German Automative School (JAGAS), reputable auto dealerships, and leading EV experts, collectively working to embed quality and best practices into the Caribbean's burgeoning electric mobility landscape.
Beyond training, UWI has procured an electric vehicle and a Level 2 EV charger. These remarkable achievements were recently celebrated when the University received the prestigious Best E-mobility Programme Award at the 7th Annual Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum (CREF) in Miami from May 7-9, 2025.
UWI Mona's ongoing efforts are not only equipping the Caribbean with the necessary skills for an electric future but also laying the groundwork for a more sustainable and efficient transportation ecosystem across the region .
