Summary
- Invest WindsorEssex announced $3.8 million in funding for Battery Boost program
- Program targets laid-off workers and career changers for battery manufacturing careers
- Training will run from February 2025 to March 2026 for over 400 participants
- Curriculum will be created with NextStar Energy, offering VR training modules
- Participants completing the program can move into roles at NextStar Energy, while others will receive upskilling and job placement assistance in EV supply chain.
Article
Invest WindsorEssex, the lead economic development agency for the Windsor-Essex region in Ontario, Canada, has allocated over $3.8 million to launch the Battery Boost: Technical Training for Battery Manufacturing Careers program. This initiative is aimed at laid-off workers or individuals seeking a career change, providing them with the necessary skills for careers in battery manufacturing. The program is scheduled to take place from February 2025 to March 2026 at the Invest WindsorEssex Automobility and Innovation Centre, with plans to train over 400 participants.
The curriculum for the program will be developed in partnership with NextStar Energy, a battery joint venture between LG Energy Solution of South Korea and automaker Stellantis. Leveraging proprietary information on the battery manufacturing process, participants will gain hands-on experience through the use of virtual reality (VR) and advanced training simulators to ensure they are job-ready. Virtualware, a program partner, will be responsible for creating and delivering immersive VR training modules in a new custom VR room.
Upon completion of the program, participants will be eligible to pursue specific roles at NextStar Energy. Even those who do not finish the training will receive additional opportunities for upskilling and job placement assistance within the Windsor-Essex EV supply chain. According to Rhonda Barnet, CEO of Palette Skills, upskilling is vital to closing the skills gap and preparing workers for the jobs of the future. With the increasing importance of the EV sector in Ontario, there is a high demand for workers with the necessary skills, making initiatives like this one crucial for ensuring a skilled workforce in the growing industry.
The partnership between Invest WindsorEssex and Palette Skills aims to provide workers with safe, practical, hands-on training to thrive in the rapidly expanding EV sector. By addressing the skills gap and training individuals for the jobs of tomorrow, the program contributes to meeting the growing demand for skilled workers in the Ontario EV industry. With the support of industry partners like NextStar Energy and Virtualware, the initiative sets out to equip participants with the skills and experience needed to succeed in battery manufacturing careers, ultimately benefiting both the individuals involved and the local economy of Windsor-Essex.
Overall, the Battery Boost program serves as a strategic response to the evolving needs of the EV sector in Ontario, providing targeted training to prepare individuals for careers in battery manufacturing. By offering immersive training experiences and job placement assistance, the initiative aims to bridge the skills gap and ensure that workers have the necessary skills to succeed in the growing industry. Through collaborations with industry partners and the utilization of innovative training methods such as VR simulations, the program seeks to empower participants to enter the workforce with the competencies needed to excel in the field of battery manufacturing.
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