Powering up the local workforce: The case of electric vehicle battery plant investments

WHAT’S THE ISSUE?

Almost weekly, there is another announcement of a major battery plant investment in the headlines. For example, in 2022 in the United States alone, companies announced over 73 billion USD in planned investments. However, this is just one piece of the puzzle. Complementary efforts will be needed to attract and upskill the requisite local workforce.  Within Europe, it is estimated that 800 000 people will be need to be trained or reskilled by 2025 in the battery sector. This calls for a place-based response, that is tailored to the unique needs of the rural areas, towns or cities where these investments are being made.

This workshop includes presentations from investors, employers, training institutes and local authorities. Watch the replay to hear how they are approaching these challenges, and what has been learned along the way. 

Moderator: 

• Alex Irwin-Hunt, Global Markets Editor, fDi Intelligence, Financial Times

Panellists: 

• Luc Doublet, President, Nord France Invest
• Hinrich Habeck, CEO, Business Development and Technology Transfer Corporation of Schleswig-Holstein
• Nadine Guerin-Roquel, Director of Transformation Programmes, Lee-Hecht Harrison (Adecco Group)
• Vincent Raufast, Director, Southern Europe & Africa, OCO Global
• Michael Horrigan, President, W.E. Upton Institute for Employment Research, USA (virtual)

Concluding remarks: 

• Christine Juen, Vice-Chair, Local Employment and Economic Development Committee (LEED), Attachée for Labour and Education, Austrian Delegation to the OECD
• Achim Hartig, Chair of the OECD IPA Network and Managing Director, Germany Trade & Invest