Stellantis, the multinational automotive manufacturer, in partnership with the US Department of Energy (DOE), has launched the ‘Battery Workforce Challenge’, a three-year engineering competition that aims to inspire budding engineers at vocational schools and universities across North America to design and develop advanced electric vehicle batteries. The competition seeks to foster STEM degrees by providing participants with valuable hands-on experience in advanced battery design, simulation, controls development, testing, and vehicle integration and demonstration.
The Battery Workforce Challenge invites eleven teams to participate, with applications being accepted by the Argonne National Laboratory from colleges and universities. The educational institutions must have a four-year programme to participate, but non-accredited schools such as community colleges, trade schools, and apprenticeship programs can partner with accredited universities.
According to Michael Berube, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Sustainable Transportation and Fuels at the US Department of Energy, “American leadership in the global battery supply chain will be based not only on our innovation, but also on our skilled workforce of engineers, designers, scientists, production workers, and technicians. This comprehensive workforce program will build an educational ecosystem delivering training and education for high school graduates, and vocational and transitional workers, fostering a diverse talent pipeline of trained engineers, workers and technicians who can charge North America’s battery industry forward.”
The Battery Workforce Challenge is an opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience, as well as critical skills such as project management, communications, teamwork, and problem-solving, that will be essential for their future careers. “Through the Battery Workforce Challenge, we’re helping to nurture the next generation of engineers who will play a critical role in developing and advancing electric vehicle technology,” said Mark Stewart, COO, Stellantis North America.
The competition will focus on the development of advanced electric vehicle batteries and the integration of the batteries into a future Stellantis vehicle. The competition’s scope includes design, build, testing, and integration, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of the engineering and production processes.
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The Battery Workforce Challenge aims to build a talent pipeline of trained engineers, workers, and technicians who can help charge North America’s battery industry forward. It is a significant step towards advancing electric vehicle technology and fostering a more sustainable future.
