ChennaiThe Tamil Nadu government will launch a specialised skill development programme to train 22,500 people, including 12,500 roadside two-wheeler and four-wheeler mechanics, in electric vehicle (EV) servicing over the next five years, as the state prepares its traditional automobile workforce for the transition to electric mobility. Labour Department sources said the proposal took shape following representations from conventional automobile mechanics during a pre-Budget meeting with Labour and Skill Development Minister J. Mohamed Farvas. Electric vehicles require a different set of skills involving battery packs, electric motors, power electronics, diagnostic systems and high-voltage components. The proposed programme will offer hands-on training in EV servicing, battery maintenance, fault diagnosis, safety procedures and the use of modern diagnostic equipment. The initiative also aligns with the ruling TVK’s Assembly election manifesto, which promised financial assistance of Rs 10,000 to help traditional mechanics undergo training and qualify as EV mechanics.