Launched in 2022 as Europe's first Net-Zero Academy under a European Commission mandate, the Academy addresses the evolving needs of the battery industry and its workforce.
The EBA Academy offers tailored training programs to prepare new talent and enhance the expertise of industry professionals. Developed in collaboration with European Battery Alliance experts, technical courses like Battery Management Systems and Battery Technician have been particularly popular, with 27,000 learners completing the latter. Foundational courses, such as Battery Fundamentals and Battery Storage Basics, have also seen high demand, reflecting growing workforce interest in gaining essential skills. The Academy's courses, available online or in person in 10 languages, have had a widespread impact, training 27,500 learners in Germany, 21,000 in France, 11,000 in Spain, and 8,000 each in Poland and Romania.
Oana Penu, Director of the InnoEnergy Skills Institute, remarked:
"Equipping Europe's workforce with the right skills is vital for competitiveness in strategic sectors. Reaching 100,000 trained learners underscores the success of targeted, industry-focused initiatives. However, much work remains to fully prepare the workforce for the green transition. The European Battery Alliance Academy has set a benchmark for collaboration between industry and academia."
The Academy is supported by 13 Member States and regions, including Spain, France, Hungary, Romania, and Catalonia, alongside partnerships with ManpowerGroup and NIIT and a network of 4,000 local trainers. This collaborative effort has laid the groundwork for future Net-Zero Academies, such as the European Solar Academy launched in 2024.
Building on its success, the EBA Academy and its partners will expand their focus to include sourcing, hiring, onboarding, and retention, providing a comprehensive approach to meet the battery industry's evolving needs beyond reskilling.
