Press Release
☷DOE and DOL Announce New Effort to Support and Expand America s Battery Workforce
U.S. Department of Energy ( By Press Release office)
Mar 28,2024
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The Battery Workforce Initiative has released standardized training guidelines for battery machine operators , in collaboration with the DOE and DOL . These guidelines aim to ensure worker safety and create opportunities for stable careers in the growing manufacturing sector . The initiative , supported by battery manufacturers , community colleges , and unions , emphasizes the need for a skilled workforce as the demand for electric vehicles and battery facilities continues to rise . Energy Secretary Granholm and Acting Labor Secretary Su , along with other officials , announced the new standards in Lansing , MI , highlighting the importance of investing in American manufacturing and creating good - paying jobs . Secretary Granholm stated that President Biden ' s agenda is revitalizing the industry and providing workers with promising career opportunities . Acting Secretary Su emphasized the importance of expanding pathways into the battery manufacturing industry through Registered Apprenticeships , providing opportunities for all workers to access middle - class jobs . Secretary of Education Cardona praised the initiative for creating new career pathways in the clean energy workforce through collaboration between agencies and community colleges . This is a step towards a more organized and inclusive approach to workforce development , so we can help people prepare for good jobs that match the investments we ' re making . The new Standards will be used for training materials by companies and training providers in the BWI . They are currently developing curricula to support DOE ' s efforts in battery manufacturing education , including the Pilot Training Project and the Regional Workforce Training Hubs Project . The BWI Pilot Training will start in April , and the BWC ' s RWT Hubs will launch in Summer 2024 . These new Standards are a significant milestone in our national workforce strategy , allowing us to expand high - quality training programs in advanced battery manufacturing . By involving industry upfront and providing training materials and guidelines , the DOE - DOL collaboration speeds up the approval process for battery training programs and establishes the foundation for national credentials . The BWI materials provide a clear path for training sponsors to use public funds for workforce development , meet the needs of battery manufacturers , and offer career pathways for workers in the battery manufacturing industry . Bob Galyen , the Chief Technology Officer for NAATBatt and SAE International Fellow , commends the Department of Energy for their efforts in bringing stakeholders together through the Battery Workforce Initiative . Galyen believes that training is crucial for the success of the battery industry and that BWI will help accelerate the industry ' s return to global leadership and create more middle - class jobs . Since 2022 , BWI has been hosting meetings and engaging with stakeholders from various sectors to understand the workforce development needs of American workers and industry . Their next focus is to examine other jobs in the battery supply chain and collaborate with stakeholders working on battery - grade materials processing and recycling . BWI ' s partnerships with different agencies , including the Department of Education , make use of previous investments in clean energy industries . As a key part of President Biden ' s plan to reduce carbon emissions , this team effort will boost the country ' s global standing by investing in clean energy and promoting rapid growth and manufacturing worldwide . Find out more about the Battery Workforce Initiative . ### .
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