Two leading universities in the field of electrification – WMG at the University of Warwick and Newcastle University – are coming together to ensure the UK workforce has the skills necessary to meet the challenges of the transition to fully electric production.

As anchor higher education institutions with exceptional research and innovation programmes operating in regions at the forefront of the UK’s electric revolution, the universities intend the collaboration will enable the growth of a talent pipeline of graduates and postgraduates into UK business. Led by WMG at the University of Warwick and Zero Carbon Futures at Newcastle University part of the school of engineering, the effort will identify the people, skills and facilities needed across a range of academic disciplines and levels in order to deliver new curriculums to meet growing industry demand.

The UK’s move to fully electric vehicle production and domestic battery manufacturing represents the largest shift in industrial skills for the UK in a generation, leaving competency gaps at all job levels, particularly in engineering and manufacturing roles which will need to be filled with specific education and training. The Faraday Institution estimates that to meet automotive production demand by 2040, an additional 70,000 skilled employees will be needed for battery manufacture and in the associated material supply chain.

“In light of COP26, which stressed the need for electrification to help us combat climate change and reach Net Zero goals, it is imperative that researchers and industry work together to bridge the gaps and create a smooth transition to electrification,” commented Dr Benjamin Silverstone from WMG, University of Warwick. “We are delighted to be working with Newcastle University and believe that together we can define what and who needs upskilling, reskilling and new-skilling.”

Professor Colin Herron CBE, Zero Carbon Futures at Newcastle University and Faraday Institution North East regional liaison said, “The bringing together of the two leading universities in electrification, located in the two regions leading on transport electrification is an exciting prospect, and one which should deliver the skills required for massive challenges ahead.”

“We fully support this collaboration between two powerhouse institutions working at the forefront of electrification,” said Professor Pam Thomas, CEO, The Faraday Institution. “Such innovative partnerships will enable the UK to anticipate and deliver the skills needed to fully electrify transport, grow new talent for battery production, and support green growth and economic development."

Another key objective of the collaboration is to help shape national and regional skills strategies and in so doing support national and regional economic development. The call for a collaborative approach to re-skilling, up-skilling and new-skilling the workforce for the electric revolution was published in a report by WMG, University of Warwick, the Faraday Institution and the High Value Manufacturing Catapult ‘The Opportunity for a National Electrification Skills Framework and Forum’ in September 2021.

ENDS

14 DECEMBER 2021

NOTES TO EDITORS

High-res images available at:

https://warwick.ac.uk/services/communications/medialibrary/images/july_2020/wmg_ukbic-33.jpg
Caption: A battery pouch made at WMG, University of Warwick
Credit: WMG, University of Warwick

https://warwick.ac.uk/services/communications/medialibrary/images/july_2020/d2807-27.jpg
Caption: A battery production line at WMG, University of Warwick
Credit: WMG, University of Warwick

https://warwick.ac.uk/services/communications/medialibrary/images/july_2020/wmg_ukbic-49.jpg
Caption: A battery production line at WMG, University of Warwick
Credit: WMG, University of Warwick

About WMG, University of Warwick

WMG is a world leading research and education group, transforming organisations and driving innovation through a unique combination of collaborative research and development, and pioneering education programmes.

As an international role model for successful partnerships between academia and the private and public sectors, WMG develops advancements nationally and globally, in applied science, technology and engineering, to deliver real impact to economic growth, society and the environment.

WMG has a track record of impact and collaborative R&D in batteries, through their Energy Innovation Centre. A unique UK facility which is capable of producing full-size prototype battery cells in sufficient quantities for industrial testing. The Centre is focused on identifying and demonstrating battery chemistries with higher energy densities and improved safety while achieving the cost criteria set by the automotive industry. This technology is transferred to other sectors including, aerospace, marine, rail and static energy storage for home applications.

WMG’s education programmes focus on lifelong learning of the brightest talent, from the WMG Academies for Young Engineers, degree apprenticeships, undergraduate and postgraduate, through to professional programmes.

An academic department of the University of Warwick, and a centre for the HVM Catapult, WMG was founded by the late Professor Lord Kumar Bhattacharyya in 1980 to help reinvigorate UK manufacturing and improve competitiveness through innovation and skills development.

About Newcastle University

Newcastle University, UK, is a thriving international community of some 27,750 students from over 130 countries worldwide. As a member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities in the UK, Newcastle has a world-class reputation for research excellence in the fields of medicine, science and engineering, social sciences and the humanities.

Its academics are sharply focused on responding to the major challenges facing society today. Our research and teaching are world-leading in areas as diverse as health, culture, technology and the environment.

The Research Excellence Framework 2014 (REF) placed Newcastle University 16th in the UK for Research Power and the vast majority of our research (78%) was assessed to be world-leading or internationally excellent.

Newcastle University is committed to providing our students with excellent, research-led teaching delivered by dedicated and passionate teachers. Newcastle is placed joint 146th in the world and in the top 20 in the UK in the latest Times Higher Education World University Rankings.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Alice Scott
Media Relations Manager – Science
University of Warwick
Tel: +44 (0) 7920 531 221
E-mail: alice.j.scott@warwick.ac.uk

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Alice Scott
Media Relations Manager – Science
University of Warwick
Tel: +44 (0) 7920 531 221
E-mail: alice.j.scott@warwick.ac.uk