We were delighted to attend the recent launch of the Birmingham Battery Manufacturing Skills Pathway (B-MSP). The event, held on 18th March 2025 at University College Birmingham (UCB), marked a significant step forward in developing a skilled workforce to support the growing battery manufacturing sector in the region.
The B-MSP is a collaborative industry-led, workforce-focused initiative, built in partnership with leading employers to meet the skill demands of the UK’s growing battery sector. This includes hands-on, immersive learning - combining cutting-edge technology, real-world simulations, and industry-grade tools to create job-ready graduates.
It is here that we were able to support the project through our extensive experience within battery research and production, supplying the essential equipment and materials required for the initiative.
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PI-KEM's Foundational Involvement:
PI-KEM played a pivotal role in the early stages of this new program. The attendance of our directors Colin Rouse & Fiona Rouse at the West Midlands Meeting at the Houses of Parliament BC-WM on July 10th, 2024, led to a significant connection with Rosa Wells – FE Principal and Dean for Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths at UCB. Discussions centred on UCB's vision for training the workforce essential for the growing battery-based economy.
Following this initial meeting, we engaged with UCB's battery team and RAVMAC, contributing to the conceptualisation of the training facility. Crucially, members from UCB and RAVMAC visited the PI-KEM site to gain first-hand experience of coin cell equipment. This hands-on interaction and understanding of the battery process, from raw material through to cell production, directly informed the development of several stations, including ‘Mixing & Coating’ and ‘Cutting & Crimping’ within the UCB facility. We supplied coin cell equipment specifically to demonstrate these fundamental stages of battery production, providing a crucial learning tool for understanding the processes, which would typically be rolled out within a gigafactory environment.
Our expertise will now be utilised to develop practical course content, ensuring effective and informative demonstrations of the various stages of battery production within the training program.
The launch event provided an opportunity to network with key stake holders including Lord Hunt of Kings Heath OBE, Minister of State at the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero. It also provided an opportunity to learn more about the curriculum and delivery of the skills pathway, and explore potential collaborations to ensure the program meets the evolving needs of the battery manufacturing industry.
PI-KEM recognises the critical role of a skilled work force in driving innovation and ensuring the long-term success of the battery manufacturing sector. We are excited about the potential of the B-MSP to create valuable opportunities for individuals in the region and contribute to the UK's transition to a greener future.
