Skills England partners with Agratas in Bridgwater to develop needed skills for new gigafactory and the wider sector.
New, fast-tracked apprenticeships in battery manufacturing have been announced by Skills England, specifically focused on the needs of industry, not least global battery business Agratas which is currently building a huge new gigafactory in Bridgwater.
Photo by Anthony Indraus / Unsplash
Batteries, of course, power everything from our phones to cars and trains, and are vital in national infrastructure and defence. Capacity to produce our own batteries here in the UK supports national resilience in uncertain geopolitical times. It also provides access to high-value jobs in a growing sector.
Indeed, the new Agratas gigafactory which will produce sustainable lithium-ion batteries is expected to generate 4,000 jobs once fully operational, and more than £700m in annual economic value.
But industry experts had voiced concerns that the existing battery manufacturing operative apprenticeship was too broad in scope and took too long to complete to meet the skills needs of the new gigafactory.
In response, Skills England’s new Investment and Infrastructure Skills Service consulted Agratas, wider sector employers and other experts on how to better meet demand. A design workshop was held in February with the Electrification Skills Network and representatives from the North East and West Midlands battery clusters. This was followed by further consultation with Agratas, other employers and academic experts. The result is the new, shorter course, grounded in existing employer-designed occupational standards.
UCS College Group will lead the delivery of training for the new gigafactory. For more information about the course, see battery manufacturing – apprenticeship unit on the Skills England website.
Phil Smith, Chair of Skills England, says: ‘This new gigafactory will create thousands of jobs and apprenticeships in the south west and beyond. I’m proud of Skills England’s work at pace with sector experts to find a skills solution that works for them. The new battery manufacturing apprenticeship unit will be a valuable addition to the Growth and Skills Levy offer. By working together, we are building the jobs of the future, keeping skills training at the cutting edge.’
Bhavik Mistry, Head of Learning and Development for Agratas, adds: ‘We’re delighted to welcome the launch of the Level 2 battery manufacturing apprenticeship unit and this step forward in building the skilled workforce our industry needs. By prioritising practical skills, the unit ensures learning is closely aligned to the realities of modern battery manufacturing, making sure it is high quality and closely matched to daily life in battery production.
‘This initiative is a major boost for the sector, opening up new opportunities for career progression and helping to future‑proof the UK’s battery manufacturing industry.’
Andy Berry CBE, CEO UCS College Group, says: ‘This represents a pivotal moment for the battery manufacturing sector in the UK. I am glad this unit has been prioritised; it reflects the culmination of a collaborative approach between industry and education, demonstrating the role colleges play in delivering skills for the UK. Apprenticeship units such as this will lay the foundation for a resilient and skilled workforce that is essential for the UK battery manufacturing sector.’
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