Building skills for tomorrow are key to supporting sustainable cities
This blog post has been produced for the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce as part of the 2023 Sustainable Business Series. The Sustainable Business Series seeks to help local firms understand the role that they play in progressing to net zero, as well as the opportunities and challenges that may arise from the net-zero transition. Through an expansive range of blogs, webinars, events and Q&A’s, the Sustainable Business Series offers useful information to businesses interested in adopting a sustainable business approach. Thank you to the Headline Sponsors, of the Sustainable Business Series campaign, University College Birmingham and Lloyds Bank. Click here to register for Sustainable Business Series events and webinars.
Achieving net zero is an undertaking that requires the help of businesses and individuals alike, writes Rosa Wells. It requires an integrated approach, that affects every aspect of the supply chain.
Transport, for example, is the largest emitting sector for UK greenhouse gas emissions and with national net zero targets, manufacturers face a growing challenge in electric vehicle (EV) battery production and research to meet demands for more sustainable methods of travel.
However, with continuous changes in government policy, businesses need clarity and stability to align their strategies so that they can more adequately prepare for targets and reduce uncertainty. Nevertheless, many manufacturers have been working towards sustainable practices and outputs with continued investment being maintained in EVs, but there is still work to be done.
On a UK Research and Innovation blog, Tony Harper, Director of the Faraday Battery Challenge said: “battery technologies of the future, including solid-state batteries, are still some way off and require sustained investment in scientific research to solve the remaining barriers to commercialisation.”
The challenge lies in the profitability of existing EV models, with current predictions basing the profitability of EVs on 10 to 12 years of payback from particular models. In addition, the rules of origin requirements in the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement also mean battery packs must substantially originate in the UK or EU for cars to be tariff-free for export into the EU.
Consumer confidence in EVs is rising, while rising costs of fuel is encouraging customers to look away from petrol and diesel.
To produce enough EVs for both consumer demand, and to meet global and national sustainability goals, building communities, knowledge and skills are essential to support the supply chain feeding into the manufacture of batteries and therefore vehicles.
The Innovate UK Faraday Battery Challenge awarded University College Birmingham with funding to support UK manufacturers with this very development of skills training in battery innovation, while addressing the STEM skills gap within the West Midlands.
The University will lead the way in a regional partnership delivering a new project aimed at re-skilling, upskilling and growing new skills in battery manufacturing. Starting in October 2023 and running over 18 months, University College Birmingham, WMG at the University of Warwick, Cranfield University and RAVMAC LTD will jointly deliver the project with the support of project partners including Jaguar Land Rover.
As part of the training programme titled DEBUT-WM (Digital Enhanced Battery Ubiquitous Training-West Midlands), the partners will target industry organisations, functions and individuals directly involved in battery workforce capability development. This will ensure that the ongoing delivery of the programme is actively informed by stakeholders and ensures wider sharing of the project outcomes and learning.
The programme will also utilise equipment and resources from WMG which is currently used in cutting-edge research in battery manufacturing and the wider electrification revolution. The project will be aligned to the broader National Electrification Skills Framework originally founded by WMG ensuring that learners acquire essential skills in electrification systems.
Meanwhile the West Midlands Combined Authority are facilitating the Electrification Taskforce in the West Midlands. The WMCA is prioritising increasing level 3 training in the region, accelerated training routes that respond to changing business needs, increasing flexibly delivered training, supporting increases in workers accessing training and qualifications, championing equality and diversity in the region’s workforce, and working towards the net zero agenda.
DEBUT-WM has established the Battery Training Advisory Group (BTAG) to input into the ongoing development, delivery and future of the programme. The project support partnership are: University College Birmingham, WMG, Cranfield University, RAVMAC LTD, Jaguar Land Rover, Microsoft, Manufacturing Technology Centre, Delta Cosworth, West Midlands Combined Authority and the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Institute of Technology.
Having a robust and skilled workforce is crucial if we are to develop a high-tech battery industry across our region.
The programme we are developing at the university will offer an ambitious blend of traditional physical training alongside advanced immersive digital technologies such as augmented, virtual and mixed reality. Learners will be taught skills used across battery manufacturing that will support them in roles such as technicians, production, maintenance, engineering and quality assurance.
Not only is the workforce futureproofed then in their capabilities, but also in terms of creating career-ready students that are meeting the skills needs of the West Midlands all while contributing to the delivery of more sustainable modes of travel across our cities.
Rosa Wells is the Executive Dean of the School of Engineering, Digital & Sustainable Construction at University College Birmingham and Project Lead for DEBUT-WM.
The University has invested over £160 million into its facilities over the past decade to enhance regional skills, and is due to launch a state-of-the-art Sustainable Construction Skills Centre that will develop skills that support employers and their supply chains.
Find out more about the Department of Sustainable Construction at University College Birmingham.