Powering the Future
With a shared commitment to bring together academia and industry in battery research and development, WMG at The University of Warwick and the Faraday InstitutionLink opens in a new window have partnered to deliver a bespoke training programme to help bridge the skills gap in the UK battery sectorLink opens in a new window.
As the UK accelerates towards a more sustainable, electric future there is a rapidly growing demand for skilled researchers and engineers in battery technology and innovation. The Faraday Institution, the UK’s independent institute for electrochemical energy storage research and battery skills development, understands the growing demand for next-generation researchers to help support the ever-evolving battery industry.
Seeking a unique training solution to equip its PhD students and early career researchers with up-to-date knowledge and skills in the latest technological advancements in batteries, the Faraday Institution partnered with the WMG Skills CentreLink opens in a new window to establish the WMG-Faraday Battery School. Now in its seventh year, the industry-aligned 4-day programme recently welcomed 30 PhD students to WMG’s Energy Innovation Centre, bringing the total number of upskilled researchers to 240.
WMG and Tata Technologies drive innovation and skills development
WMG at The University of Warwick and Tata Technologies Link opens in a new windowhave entered an agreement bringing together the best of academia and industry to empower the next generation of engineering talent and accelerate innovation in automotive and aerospace technologies.
The new memorandum of understanding sets the foundation for:
- Bespoke short courses delivered via the WMG Skills CentreLink opens in a new window to enhance workforce skills
- Modular education programmes to support employee career growth
- Joint R&D initiatives to drive innovation in engineering and manufacturing specifically in AI, Autonomy/ Connectivity, Cyber security, Smart Manufacturing and Digital Twins
- Opportunities for EngD and PhD candidates to gain hands-on experience within Tata Technologies
- Internships and placements for WMG students
- Sharing industry insights with guest lectures delivered by experts at both WMG and Tata Technologies
Major initiative ‘Transport + Energy Skills’ announced
- Partnership with the WMG, University of Warwick, to kick off year-long skills theme for the news and events brand, with active support from MPs and industry leaders.
Transport + Energy has announced a new initiative, Transport + Energy Skills, in partnership with WMG at the University of Warwick. The project will highlight the sectors’ shortage and provide insight, information exchange and solutions to progress a major re-skill, up-skill and new-skill of workers, to fit the way industries are changing and ensure UK companies are competitive.
Announcing the new partnership, Alec Peachey, Founder and Editorial Director of Transport + Energy said: “We are really excited about this launch, which tackles one of the most important issues we are facing in our sectors – skilling up our workforce to ensure UK companies are fit for the future.”
Dr Benjamin Silverstone, Skills and Workforce Transformation Specialist, will spearhead a series of articles in which he will speak to leaders to gain their insight into how skills needs are evolving, while digging into practical solutions and making a call to action for companies to take up this opportunity and respond to change.
“I once wrote that skills are the currency with which future opportunity will be bought. This is truer now, than ever, but what is different is that we all now have a voice in how we generate that wealth,” commented Dr Silverstone.
The aims of the articles will be to drive access to effective training to remain competitive, provide guidance on the impact changes will have, initiate a shift in high-quality training and development as well as promote consistency, to make the workforce’s skills transferrable.
Recognising the crucial need to mobilise industry to act to future proof the UK workforce, Matt Western MP, Shadow Higher Education Minister, Chair All Party Motor Group said:
“The green transition in transport and energy will transform thousands of jobs, creating new opportunities and life choices right across the country. We need our people to be well-equipped for these changes. I look forward to hearing from leaders in the field on what is needed to deliver the skilled transport and energy workforce of the future.”
The widespread importance of Transport + Energy Skills is also being actively supported by government:
“In order to maintain the UK’s leading position in net zero and energy transition, we must plan for the significant changes that will be required in the workforce. Over the next decade, for example, we will need to secure thousands of new jobs in battery manufacturing and train hundreds of thousands of mechanics to service electric vehicles. Transport + Energy’s initiative to bring together industry, colleges and providers to discuss how to deliver these vital skills is essential and I will do all I can support these aims,” commented Mark Pawsey MP.
Find out more about the WMG Skills Centre here: WMG Skills Centre : University of Warwick : Short Courses