RIGHT SIZING THE SKILLS GAP

It is estimated that Europe will need approximately 800.000 qualified workers along the value chain to operate in this new battery industry by 2025.

High demand is expected from the European transport sector as more passenger cars, light-duty vehicles, buses, and trucks continue to electrify. By 2030, 6% of all cars on the road across Europe are expected to be electric, with energy storage solutions and portables following suit. According to a report by Transport and Environment, Europe will likely produce enough batteries to supply this EV market as early as 2021. The report estimates that there will be 460 GWh (in 2025) and 700 GWh (2030) of battery production in Europe – enough to meet the demand for electric cars. Not surprisingly, then, demand is now also growing exponentially for skilled battery professions to work with these emerging solutions and accelerate the introduction of batteries in our electric grid systems.

Up- and reskilling as a critical investment

The cost to up- and/or reskill is already a substantial investment per employee. This investment increases exponentially when investing in the training of a large number of employees at basic levels, or training fewer employees but at very specific, higher qualification levels. Assessing closely which skills are needed to which level has a huge impact on the total investment needed.

EIT InnoEnergy actively participates in several European projects and initiatives contributing to further refining the skills gap (i.e. LiPLANET, Batteries Europe, ALBATTS, BATTERY 2030+). Based on continuous input and feedback from industrial partners active in the EBA250 network, the urgent need for skills is gathered at the source. Latest AI tools automatically process available reports and job listings as an extra data-driven input. Trend radar frameworks and input from thematic leaders overseeing 350+ startups keep the finger on the pulse of the innovating battery value chain to deliver the most precise industry information on skill needs.

Think learning paths, not patches

Innovation is at the core of the European energy transition and will be a deciding factor driving long-term growth and sustainability for industry in Europe and globally. Battery storage is set to completely disrupt the energy space and shape the future of several sectors for the foreseeable future. Grasping this opportunity, staying ahead of the innovation curve, and maintaining the competitive edge, hinges on gaining a solidly skilled workforce.

The skills gap in the fast-emerging battery industry is not limited to large industrial players, nor it is focused within a single part of the value chain. It can therefore not be patched with a quick refresher course. Rather, up-/re-skilling requires an analysis of the existing available skills and the specific needs in the next functional role.

 
Some examples of skills that EBA Academy has identified as crucial along the battery value chain.

So where does one start?

At EIT InnoEnergy, we’re playing our part. We’ve invested early in creating exceptional educational content and delivering a large number of online and blended learning modules to over 40,000 workers across Europe with our network of 15 academic and industrial partners.

This is why we’ve been entrusted by Maroš Šefčovič, Vice-President of the European Commission, to establish the European Battery Alliance (EBA) Academy as a key component in this new energy landscape – education and training. With the EBA Academy, we’re building on our success by making our learning content and training programmes available to training providers across Europe; thereby drastically reducing the cost and time to upskill and/or reskill workers across the continent.

We anticipated the changes and dynamics of a growing battery value chain across Europe early. From our position within the European Battery Alliance, we were able to accurately identify and assess the skill gaps and competencies within the industry. In 2017, EIT InnoEnergy started with our first pan-European education initiative, offering battery training to end customers. And now, with the EBA Academy, we are ready to take the next step by setting up a network of partners in all EU countries to upskill and reskill European workers for job profiles the battery value chain needs, locally, at scale, and with measurable impact.

Frank Gielen
Education Director, EIT InnoEnergy

Continue reading to find out what the EBA Academy is and how it works.