Launching the European Battery Academy to reskill thousands of industry workers

On a mission to make Europe the global leader in sustainable battery technology, the European Battery Alliance Academy will train, reskill and upskill approximately 800 000 workers by 2025 to meet the demands of the skills shortages in the rapidly growing European battery value chain. The academy was created under the framework of the European Battery Alliance (EBA), which was launched by the European Commission and is managed by EIT InnoEnergy, one of the Knowledge and Innovation Communities of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology.

EIT Director, Martin Kern and EIT InnoEnergy CEO, Diego Pavia signed a letter of intent to support the academy with a grant of EUR 10 million under the Recovery Assistance for Cohesion and the Territories of Europe (REACT-EU). The signing ceremony was held as part of the annual high-level meeting of the European Battery Alliance in the presence of Maroš Šefčovič, European Commission Vice-President for Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight; Thierry Breton, European Commissioner for Internal Market; Nicolas Schmit, European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights and several ministers and dignitaries of EU Member States.  

Mariya Gabriel, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth:

"Transformative innovation must be met with skills and education for a new era. The European Battery Alliance is implemented by the largest innovation ecosystem in Europe: the European Institute of Innovation and Technology. The EBA Academy will equip thousands of workers and learners with the skills needed by innovative companies and start-ups to grow and scaleup to become global tech champions. In addition it will also invest in the innovation ecosystem underpinning the European battery supply chain, with training platforms, centres, and curricula ready to meet the demands for a more competitive Europe."

Martin Kern, EIT Director:

"The European Battery Alliance Academy demonstrates how cooperation at the European level can equip Europeans with skills needed for future innovations and related jobs. There is no better place than Europe's largest innovation ecosystem to develop these future proof programmes. We are proud that EIT InnoEnergy takes the lead to set up this Academy, which will create the basis for Europe to expand its battery market as part of the green transition."

Diego Pavia, EIT InnoEnergy CEO:

"We are very excited to be launching the European Battery Academy that will see thousands of industrial workers trained and reskilled. To meet the demands of the rapidly growing European battery market, robust and industry-led reform is needed in the skills sector. EIT InnoEnergy as the foremost driver of sustainable energy innovation, along with the members of the European Battery Alliance and Academy will lead this training reform bringing the technology and skills required to accelerate the European Green Deal and Europe’s decarbonisation goals."

The European Battery Academy, underpinned by the EIT's unique innovation model and pan-European education ecosystem, will reduce the cost to train and reskill workers while drastically increasing the efficiency and quality of training led by industry insight. The Academy will develop and produce exceptional programmes and learning content to address skill gaps, including online learning modules, in-person training and training manuals. Areas of focus and key skills shortages include: mining, processing of raw materials, advanced materials, cell manufacturing, packaging, manufacturing of modules, electric vehicles (EVs) and EV platforms, home storage, electricity grid balancing and recycling. There is also a strong demand for skilled workers in the areas of: battery design, battery development, battery testing, certification and for various aspects of mass production, logistics and production within a highly sterile environment.  

About the European Battery Alliance and Academy 

The European Battery Alliance (EBA) was launched in October 2017 by the European Commission with the aim to make Europe the global leader in sustainable battery technology. Since its launch, the alliance has grown to include 700 industrial members, undertaking over 100 major battery-related projects, including more than 20 giga factories being built or planned, in the EU. The European Battery Alliance is coordinated by EIT InnoEnergy, one of Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology. 

The European Battery Academy was created under the framework of the EBA to address the skills shortages in the rapidly developing European battery value chain. It is estimated that 800 000 direct workers will need to be trained, upskilled, or reskilled by 2025 to serve the needs of the European battery industry.