Battery Manufacturing Skills Pathway introduced

University College Birmingham has launched Cross-Sector Battery Showcase — Advancing Innovation Across Industries — its very own fully accredited Battery Manufacturing Skills Pathway (B-MSP). The first of its kind in the UK, it is being led and shaped by industry demands ‘to fill the increasing skills gap in battery manufacturing’ and is a City & Guilds accredited programme. Moreover, it is designed to provide a flexible and scalable training solution for SMEs and gigafactories alike.

Commenting on the value of the programme and its importance, Lord Hunt of Kings Heath, Minister of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, said: “Every wind turbine we put up, every solar panel we install, and every battery storage facility we construct helps protect families from future energy shocks.

“Storing energy is key to reaching clean power by 2030 and building an energy system that can bring down energy bills for good. The Birmingham Battery Manufacturing Skills Pathway is at the forefront of equipping the battery manufacturing workforce with the expertise needed to power a sustainable future.”

Practical competence
He went on to say that for employers, training goes beyond theory alone, combining AR/VR simulations and virtual environments with hands-on experiences and industry-standard tools, to build practical competence. Gary Tourell, Jaguar Land Rover’s chief engineer for propulsion prototype build, added: “Training and safety are paramount for us. Anyone working on our prototype batteries isn’t even allowed in the building without Level One entry training and this programme goes way beyond that. Having this level of training, where you can practice being around live battery work is absolutely critical to us.”

University College Birmingham said that for employees, the B-MSP programme offers structured, nationally recognised qualifications that employers trust. “Through practical experiences, trainees develop the confidence and qualification to effectively contribute from day one. Furthermore, the B-MSP represents an accessible pathway to skilled work in engineering and manufacturing, supporting career changers, new entrants, and underrepresented groups in an area where global competition in battery manufacturing is hotting up.”

Pritti Shoker, B-MSP’s project manager, said: “Ensuring the training is fit for purpose involves testing and validation, and crucial to the success of this programme is the vital support we have received from our partners at Cranfield University, Ravmac, and WMG at the University of Warwick — with funding secured from UKRI’s Faraday Battery Challenge, delivered by Innovate UK. Their support, coupled with our facilities and expertise, means we can deliver this training programme that seeks to bridge the skills gap and serve as a gateway to electrification careers across multiple industries.”

Further details can be found at the website here.