The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced a national workforce development initiative for lithium-battery manufacturing, led by the US Department of Labor (DOL). With a $5 million investment, the strategy aims to launch pilot training programs and foster partnerships between industry and labor. Additionally, the DOE and DOL have unveiled the Battery Workforce Initiative (BWI)’s National Guideline Standards for registered apprenticeships for battery machine operators, setting a foundation for training in this rapidly expanding sector. This initiative is part of a broader national effort to secure a sustainable, domestic supply of critical minerals like lithium and emphasizes the creation of skilled jobs. 4/04/2024