Battery Training Center

Abstract

Douvrin, France—

• Douvrin Battery Training Center is a joint initiative between Douvrin Regional Council, the Hauts-de-France Union of Metal Industries and Trades (UIMM), and the multinational automotive company Stellantis.

• The Center aims to prepare job seekers and retrain workers for roles in the electric vehicle (EV) sector, expected to create between 15 000 and 20 000 jobs in the region over the next decade.

• Multi-stakeholder collaboration to develop training resources can enhance workforce readiness, and improve the competitiveness of the Hauts-de-France region in the automotive industry's green transition.

What are the objectives?

As the automotive sector transitions to electric mobility, the demand for skilled workers in battery manufacturing and related fields is growing rapidly. In France, the Hauts-de-France region is leading national efforts in the production of electric vehicles (EVs) and gearboxes. The regional industry contains seven manufacturing sites, including an EV gigafactory in Douvrin. This surge in the EV industry is expected to create between 15 000 and 20 000 jobs in the Hauts-de-France region over the next decade.

In 2023, the region planned to invest EUR 80 million to adapt its regional training programme (PRF) to the specific needs of the battery industry. The aim was to train 6 600 workers, enabling the regional EV gigafactories to launch their production lines under good conditions and improve their competitiveness at international level. The new Douvrin Battery Training Center underlines the region's commitment to positioning itself as a leader in the automotive sector, with the vision of creating a "battery valley" along the Dunkirk-Douvrin-Douai axis. By focusing on EV training, the Center not only addresses immediate skills shortages, but also lays the foundations for long-term economic prosperity and competitiveness in the evolving automotive landscape.

How does it work in practice?

The Douvrin Battery Training Center is a joint initiative between the Douvrin Regional Council, the Hauts-de-France Union of Metal Industries and Trades (UIMM) and the multinational automotive company Stellantis. Launched in June 2023, the Center's main objective is to meet the growing demand for skilled workers in the EV sector. Specifically, it aims to prepare job seekers and retrain existing workers to meet the expected surge in employment opportunities.

The Battery Training Center in Douvrin is a specialised facility dedicated to providing practical training to individuals employed or seeking employment in the EV sector. The Center's core activities comprise a 400-hour training course, which incorporates both theoretical and practical elements. Participants, including those seeking employment, as well as those in the process of transitioning, undergo training designed to familiarise them with the intricacies of battery manufacturing processes. The curriculum covers various aspects of battery manufacturing, from material sourcing to assembly techniques. Additionally, trainees have the opportunity to gain insight into their future working environment through practical sessions conducted in collaboration with industry partners, such as the recently inaugurated ACC Gigafactory. This immersive learning experience enables participants to acquire essential skills and develop a deeper understanding of the dynamics of the industry, which in turn facilitates their future career in the EV sector

What has been the impact?

The collaboration between the region, the UIMM Hauts-de-France and Stellantis enables the creation of comprehensive training programmes tailored to the specific needs of the automotive industry, and facilitates leveraging the unique perspectives, expertise and resources of each participant.

The involvement of the regional government provides financial support and strategic guidance, reflecting its commitment to the economic and industrial development of Hauts-de-France. The trade union, represented by the UIMM Hauts-de-France, provides the insight and knowledge of the workers, facilitating the adaptation of the training programmes to the specific needs of the workforce in the region. Stellantis, a prominent automotive multinational, brings practical experience and understanding of automotive technologies to create training content that remains relevant and effective in preparing individuals for roles in the EV sector.

Together, this multi-stakeholder collaboration provides a strong foundation for the Douvrin Battery Training Center, enhancing its ability to meet the evolving needs of the sector and supporting the development of a coherent regional strategy to develop the EV industry in Douvrin. Its wider impact can benefit the entire sector and the region by developing a skilled workforce and supporting economic growth.

What can other communities learn from this example?

• Collaboration between industry, trade unions and the regional government in this initiative serves to leverage the resources, perspectives and expertise of the different stakeholders involved in the green transition.

• This multi-stakeholder engagement helps to build a collective understanding, and can improve the ability to anticipate emerging industry needs.

• The alignment of economic development strategies with skills development initiatives helps to prevent skill gaps from becoming a bottleneck to progress in the green transition. By training workers in the EV sector, the Battery Training Center aims to enable the regional EV gigafactories to start operations under good conditions and improve their competitiveness at the international level.

Further information

• Battery Training Center - Région Hauts-de-France (hautsdefrance.fr) (in French)

• Support for Electric Vehicles in Hauts-de-France (nordfranceinvest.com)

OECD resources

OECD (2023), Job Creation and Local Economic Development 2023: Bridging the Great Green Divide, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/21db61c1-en.

OECD (2023), Assessing and Anticipating Skills for the Green Transition: Unlocking Talent for a Sustainable Future, Getting Skills Right, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/28fa0bb5-en.