The rapid expansion of battery manufacturing has made one question increasingly important: How many workers does a GWh of battery manufacturing require? The Volta Foundation Workforce Readiness & Development Committee presents a data-driven benchmark for battery manufacturing workforce requirements and a practical framework for estimating future labor demand, aligning workforce development with the industry’s projected growth.

The battery industry is central to the global energy transition and U.S. industrial competitiveness, with the lithium-ion supply chain projected to surpass $400 billion by 2030. Batteries power not only electric vehicles and grid storage but also emerging sectors such as aviation, AI, and defense. Yet, this rapid growth is constrained by workforce shortages, as employers report persistent gaps in skilled labor and training. While industry forums and government initiatives highlight these challenges, discussions have often relied on fragmented surveys and anecdotal evidence.

This report analyzes Michigan's automotive workforce transition driven by electrification, battery manufacturing, and advanced manufacturing technologies. It examines employment trends, workforce challenges, skills in demand, talent pipeline needs, and supplier impacts while recommending strategies to strengthen workforce development, expand training, support industry transformation, and maintain Michigan's leadership in the evolving automotive sector.

This assessment analyzes workforce needs across Michigan's automotive industry using employer surveys and interviews. It identifies workforce trends, skills gaps, hiring challenges, upskilling priorities, and future job demands driven by electric vehicles, automation, and advanced manufacturing. The findings support workforce planning and help educators, employers, and policymakers prepare talent for the evolving automotive industry.

This report analyzes Michigan's automotive workforce transition as the industry shifts toward electric vehicles. It examines employment trends, workforce projections, education requirements, and future skill needs across the automotive supply chain. The findings support workforce planning and identify occupations, training pathways, and strategies needed to strengthen Michigan's advanced automotive manufacturing workforce through 2030.

This report examines Michigan’s lithium ion battery supply chain and manufacturing ecosystem, highlighting key opportunities and challenges affecting industry growth. Through industry interviews, surveys, and market analysis, it identifies supply chain gaps, workforce needs, and manufacturing barriers while providing strategic recommendations to strengthen innovation, expand production capabilities, and enhance Michigan’s long term competitiveness in the battery industry.

This article explores the geographic transformation of EV manufacturing beyond traditional auto hubs, the diverse educational needs for the industry (ranging from high school apprenticeships to doctoral research), and the necessity of public-private partnerships to bridge the skills gap through community colleges and universities.

This factsheet provides an overview of the EVITP, assesses the national workforce needs associated with the NEVI program, and offers suggestions for state-based alternative programs. It details the 20-hour certification course for electricians and outlines ongoing maintenance funding strategies for EV charging infrastructure.

Hosted by the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation, this webinar explores strategies for building a diverse and highly skilled workforce within the electrified transportation industry. The session covers federal requirements for EV infrastructure, career-track training initiatives, and best practices for the operation and maintenance of charging equipment.

This document outlines a four-step process for school districts to prepare and empower their workforce for the transition to electric school buses, covering team establishment, skills identification, and gap analysis. It includes a comprehensive list of technical training resources and industry standards for maintenance and operation.