Friday 28 March 2025
Powering the Future
WMG and the Faraday Institution help bridge the UK battery skills gap
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.
Developed in conjunction with the Faraday Institution and delivered by WMG’s teaching and research experts, the programme is specifically tailored each year based on WMG’s latest research findings and industry insights, and to meet the learning objectives identified by the Faraday Institution. Topics have included battery chemistries, advanced characterisation methods for battery materials and cells, module and pack design, battery management systems, safety and testing, second-life applications, and recycling.
A key highlight of the programme is its four hands-on lab demonstrations designed to provide delegates with experience on industrially relevant mixing and coating processes for electrode fabrication, cell assembly (from coin cell and three-electrode cells up to single layer pouch cells) and testing, disassembly of pouch and cylindrical cells for forensic analysis via electron microscopy techniques, and the integration of sensors for internal cylindrical cell instrumentation.
Commenting on the programme, Academic Leader, Dr Ivana HasaLink opens in a new window, Associate Professor of Electrochemical Materials at WMG and Member of the Faraday Institution Training & Diversity Panel, said: “This training programme underscores the vital role of skills development initiatives in preparing the next generation of talent for the evolving battery sector. I am confident that the knowledge and hands-on experience gained through this programme will have a lasting impact on their careers, equipping them with the expertise and industry insights needed to drive innovation and advancements in the field.”
PhD student and delegate, Kaja Glazer reflected on the course and said: “The combination of theoretical knowledge and practical lab sessions has enhanced my understanding of all areas in battery technologies, making me more confident in applying these techniques to my PhD research.”
WMG and the Faraday Institution have a long-standing relationship and have partnered on an array of pioneering research projects in battery technologies, chemistries and safety. Commenting on the relationship and the impact of the recent Battery School, Mr Dominic Grantley-Smith, Training Manager, Faraday Institution said: “Designing courses in collaboration with WMG builds on our long-term partnership to shape the future of the UK battery sector. Providing training courses like the Battery School across the Faraday community helps to prepare researchers for a range of roles and ensures they have a broad understanding of the entire industry. This awareness is crucial as we aim for a net-zero world, allowing researchers to better understand the challenges ahead and contribute to innovative solutions for the future.”
To explore partnership opportunities and develop tailored training programmes that align with your organisation’s specific needs, get in touch: WMGBusiness@warwick.ac.ukLink opens in a new window