A landmark new training initiative focused on electric vehicle battery technology has officially kicked off in Antigua and Barbuda, bringing together cross-sector stakeholders to build local and regional capacity for the transition to sustainable mobility. Hosted by the Antigua and Barbuda College of Advanced Studies (ABCAS) at its Muriel O’Mard Campus, the four-day workshop is the product of a collaborative partnership between ABCAS, The University of the West Indies Mona campus, and the Antigua and Barbuda National Training Agency (ABNTA), and will run from May 5 to 8, 2026.
Unlike generic technical conferences, this event is tailored to address the specific gaps in small island developing states’ EV ecosystem, gathering a diverse cohort of attendees spanning government regulators, public and private fleet managers, energy sector authorities, transport agency officials, electric utility providers, national standards bodies, and solid waste management teams. All participants will engage in hands-on, targeted training covering the latest advances in electric vehicle battery technology, a critical component of scaling EV adoption across the Caribbean.
The opening ceremony featured opening remarks from a lineup of senior institutional and government leaders, starting with Dr. E. Jonah Greene, President of ABCAS, and Ms. Latoya Reynolds, Principal of the Harrison Centre. Representatives from both co-organizing partners, The University of the West Indies Mona and ABNTA, also took the stage to address attendees, emphasizing that regional coordination is key to accelerating the shift to low-carbon sustainable energy and electric mobility across the Caribbean region.
Dwayne Edwards, Project Manager at Antigua and Barbuda’s Department of Environment, also delivered remarks during the opening ceremony, highlighting that as the global EV sector rapidly evolves, it is increasingly urgent for small island nations to strengthen their domestic technical and regulatory capacity to keep pace with the transition. The training program is made possible through financial support from the German Federal Ministry for Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKK), delivered via the ministry’s International Climate Initiative (IKI), in partnership with the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ).
At the conclusion of the workshop, all participants who successfully complete the full program of training and pass required daily assessments will receive an official Certificate of Completion to recognize their newly acquired skills. The initiative marks a key step for Antigua and Barbuda in preparing its workforce and regulatory framework for the growing adoption of electric vehicles across the country, aligning with global and regional climate action goals.