A new study led by the Apl.de.Ap Foundation International (APLFI), in partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the William Davidson Institute (WDI), warns that the Philippines risks stalling its electric vehicle (EV) ambitions unless it urgently addresses a growing skills gap in the sector.
Titled “Driving a Just Transition to E-Mobility in the Philippines,” the study estimates that up to 138,000 Filipino workers in internal combustion engine (ICE)-related jobs may be affected by the transition to EVs. This includes workshop mechanics, auto parts suppliers, and retail staff in communities built around ICE manufacturing and services.
Currently, available EV training in the country focuses mostly on basic skills like battery handling and charger installation. However, the industry needs to build capacity for more advanced roles as it evolves. The study highlights the need to enhance national workforce development through more coordinated strategies and greater alignment among stakeholders.
To address these challenges, APLFI and ADB are proposing the creation of a national EV Center of Excellence to align industry, government, and education.
“For us at APLFI, it has always been about people first,” said Apl.de.Ap, founder of the Apl.de.Ap Foundation International. “We wanted to make sure that the shift to e-mobility does not just benefit a few, but truly creates opportunities for workers, communities, and young people across the Philippines.”
APLFI Executive Director Audie Vergara added, “The proposed EV Center of Excellence can help bridge gaps between policy and practice, foster collaboration across the public and private sectors, and accelerate the development of a skilled, inclusive workforce”
WDI’s Senior Director of Energy and Mobility Diana Páez noted the need for support systems like retraining and social protections to ensure that “no one is left behind” in the EV transition, while ADB’s Transport Sector Office Director James Leather emphasized that workforce development is a key enabler of EV adoption: “This shift is underway, and we are working with relevant stakeholders to support policy development and investments that can help drive the uptake,”
With locations in the United States and the Philippines, APLFI is committed to uplifting communities in both countries through education, healthcare and sustainable innovation. APLFI’s proposed Center of Excellence is a strategic step to align the country’s EV ambitions with long-term, inclusive workforce development.
