Battery boon for Britain

The British battery industry is recharging in anticipation of a massive expansion, with a new qualification to energise young people to enter the industry and upskill auto workers to populate EV production lines.

Awarding organisation EAL, in collaboration with the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre in Coventry, is planning to attract thousands of new entrants to the sector and reskill those who make the switch from combustion powered vehicles.

It is seen as a big boon for the entire UK based battery supply chain in its bid to earn the nation billions in servicing existing and winning new contracts and the quest to build numerous new gigafactories to power productivity and growth.

The level 2 qualification is designed for individuals aged 16 and above, serving as an introductory point for those new to the industry. Higher level qualifications are planned to be introduced later this year.

By 2040, nearly 500,000 people will be required by the sector in the UK.

UKBIC (the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre) is the national manufacturing development facility providing battery manufacturing scale up and skills to support the transition to an ‘electrified future’.

The £200 million facility, services some of the biggest brand names in the world, was opened in July 2021 by the then prime minister Boris Johnson.

Some of the most famous brand names, in the auto, transport, energy storage, and other sectors, use the facility to scale up their battery technologies into production, under the most intense security to avoid prying eyes.

Al Parkes, managing director of EAL, said: ‘This collaboration is electrifying.

‘The electrification of the world through brilliant battery innovation and industrialisation, is being led right here in the UK.  

‘EAL’s initiative, to develop and introduce this new qualification, will help ensure that industry and the nation as a whole, reaps the rewards.

‘Thousands of young people will be required to enter the sector in the next ten years, and we will help start them on their route to a rewarding and valued career. Those already working in automotive may well need to upskill to work in the ever evolving EV production.’

EAL, part of the Enginuity Group, ploughs the entirety of its profits, into skilling the sectors that it serves – engineering, manufacturing and construction.

Jonty Deeley-Williamson, head of learning and development at UKBIC, added:

‘We are delighted to have helped develop this important qualification for the battery industry.

‘The content, put together using real life experiences at UKBIC and curated by experts in battery manufacturing, was created in response to the growing demand for skilled workers.

‘This new qualification will provide a structured curriculum, enabling trainees to confidently step into battery manufacturing roles with industry approved skills and experience.’