SMT

Powering the UK Battery Sector

UK battery manufacturing is set for rapid growth, but scaling production requires upskilling the workforce and reliable suppliers.
Upskilling to Power the UK Battery Sector

The UK has set its sights on becoming a global leader in battery technology, placing it at the heart of its industrial and economic strategy. As The Manufacturer reported this month, batteries are now seen as a cornerstone of advanced manufacturing, energy storage and clean transport, with government and industry aligning investment, innovation and skills to support long-term growth.

Driving Growth in the UK Battery Sector

A key pillar of this ambition is the £452m Battery Innovation Programme, designed to accelerate new technologies, strengthen UK supply chains and create high-value jobs across automotive, aerospace, defence and energy. Demand for batteries is forecast to reach 115GWh by 2035, making gigafactory development and scale-up support essential. However, investment alone will not be enough without a skilled workforce to support it.

Bridging the Skills Gap in the UK Battery Sector

While UK universities provide a strong foundation in battery research and engineering, there is a significant shortage of level 2 to 5 skills. These are the practical capabilities needed to run and maintain large-scale manufacturing facilities and represent a critical gap between R&D and mass production.

The Manufacturer also notes that the shift to EVs will not simply involve moving workers from internal combustion engine production into battery roles. EV and ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) manufacturing will operate in parallel for some time, creating the need for tens of thousands of additional jobs rather than a straight transfer of skills.

By 2040, the UK is expected to require an additional 270,000 roles to support EV and battery manufacturing. Battery production alone will need around 180 manufacturing jobs per GWh each year, equating to roughly 35,000 new roles in battery plants and a further 65,000 across the supply chain.
Crucially, the article highlights that around 80–85% of these roles will be at level 2 or 3, focused on production, maintenance and engineering rather than degree-level positions. This places renewed importance on further education, apprenticeships and vocational training, areas that are essential to scaling UK battery manufacturing.
However, many of the skills required already exist in allied industries such as food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, electronics and automotive manufacturing. With targeted retraining and investment in further education, these skills can be transferred into battery production.

The Role of High-Quality Components in the UK Battery Sector

Alongside cell and module production, battery pack assembly relies on specialist components that demand high-quality manufacturing skills. Busbars, which provide critical electrical connections within battery packs, are a good example. As UK battery manufacturing scales up, having a capable domestic supplier for key components becomes increasingly valuable. Datum’s busbar manufacturing supports shorter lead times, supply chain resilience and closer collaboration during product development. This enables battery manufacturers to move faster from design to production while keeping quality and cost under control.

UK manufacturing support can reduce risk, protect uptime and keep pace with growing demand – speak to our specialist team about your busbar requirements for battery pack production today.
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Upskilling to Power the UK Battery Sector
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