The recent Battery Cells and Systems Expo held in Birmingham, UK, shed light on the importance of skills in the EV battery industry. With the UK looking to strengthen its battery supply chain, from materials processing to gigafactories, the focus has shifted towards building a skilled workforce dedicated to this task.
Tom Spencer, director at beet Industrial Communications, emphasized the increasing importance of skills in the battery industry, especially as 75% of the supply chain is currently based in China. This has led other markets to view battery technology as a crucial infrastructure capability.
Tony Harper, director at Tony Harper Consultancy Services, highlighted the lack of investment in skills when the automotive sector received funding in 2017 to develop a battery industry in the UK. As gigafactories are being constructed, the need for trained personnel in various positions to support battery development, manufacturing, and supply has become apparent.
Steve Doyle, CEO at EVERA Recruitment, discussed the number of people needed in different areas within the industry. The Faraday battery challenge projected that 270,000 people would be employed in the EV and battery market by 2040, with 90,000 in newly created jobs.
Doyle also suggested looking to China for recruitment, as the country has a large number of efficient gigafactories. By partnering with China and learning from their expertise, the UK could develop a more streamlined and skilled workforce, filling the skills gap more rapidly.
In addition to workforce development, attention is also turning towards recycling efforts for end-of-life EV batteries. Dr. Diogo Vieira Carvahlo, innovation lead for batteries at the Battery Innovation programme, stressed the importance of recycling key components to reduce environmental impact and improve sustainability.
Alexander Thompson, battery materials manager at EMR Group, discussed the need for onshoring and ensuring a resilient supply chain for materials to support the growing demand from gigafactories and new players entering the market. Thompson emphasized the importance of circular solutions for critical materials like copper and aluminium.
The Battery Cells and Systems Expo provided valuable insights into the evolving EV battery industry, highlighting the need for skilled workforce development, efficient recycling practices, and a resilient materials supply chain to support the growing demand for electric vehicles and battery technology.
