Battery Manufacturing Skills Pathway (B-MSP) powering up to drive UK’s NetZero ambitions

In advance of March’s Innovate UK ‘Cross-Sector Battery Showcase – Advancing Innovation Across Industries’, University College Birmingham launched its very own fully accredited Battery Manufacturing Skills Pathway (B-MSP), the first of its kind in the UK.

Led and shaped by industry demands to fill the increasing skills gap in battery manufacturing, the B-MSP is the UK’s first City & Guilds accredited programme designed to provide a flexible and scalable training solution for SMEs and gigafactories alike.

As the UK looks to drive momentum towards sustainable manufacturing and NetZero, the B-MSP has been developed to create a talent pipeline that will sustain the nation’s battery value chain across sectors such as automotive, marine, defence, portable electronics and construction.

Commenting on the value of the programme and its importance, the Rt Hon Lord Hunt of Kings Heath OBE, Minister of State for Energy Security and Net Zero said: “Every wind turbine we put up, every solar panel we install, every battery storage facility we construct helps protect families from future energy shocks.
“Storing energy is key to reaching clean power by 2030 and building an energy system that can bring down energy bills for good.
“The Birmingham Battery Manufacturing Skills Pathway is at the forefront of equipping the battery manufacturing workforce with the expertise needed to power a sustainable future.”

For employers: onboarding time is reduced as the workforce present with real-world competence and technical expertise that aligns with their production environment. Training goes beyond theory alone, combining AR/VR simulations and virtual environments with hands-on experiences and industry-standard tools, to build practical competence.
As Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) aim to launch their first electric vehicle later this year, Gary Tourell, Chief Engineer for Propulsion Prototype build at JLR said: “Training and safety are paramount for us. Anyone working on our prototype batteries isn’t even allowed in the building without Level 1 entry training and this programme goes way beyond that.
“Having this level of training, where you can practice being around live battery work is absolutely critical to us.
“It’s really exciting seeing this programme evolve.”

For employees: the B-MSP programme offers structured, nationally recognised qualifications that employers trust. Through practical experiences, trainees develop the confidence and qualification to effectively contribute from day one.

For the UK: the B-MSP represents an accessible pathway to skilled work in engineering and manufacturing, supporting career changers, new entrants and underrepresented groups, in an area where global competition in battery manufacturing is hotting up.

Speaking at the launch, Deputy Mayor of the West Midlands, Sharon Thompson said: “The West Midlands has always been proud of its place at the beating heart of the UK’s automotive industry.
“Programmes like the B-MSP offer a means to develop, attract and retain talent in this highly skilled, growth area. This pioneering skills pathway in battery manufacture fits perfectly with the West Midlands Combined Authority’s plan to achieve net zero carbon emissions through key strategies, including the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs).
“It’s important that we work together to ensure that the necessary green skills are available to underpin this growth industry.”
Following three rigorous testing stages, the finished programme is ready to go live for online pre-learning course access in April.

Pritti Shoker, B-MSP Project Manager, explained: “Ensuring the training is fit for purpose involves testing and validation. We’re delighted to be introducing the programme today and look forward to welcoming the first trainees through the door later this year.
“Crucial to the success of this programme is the vital support we’ve received from our partners at Cranfield University, RAVMAC and WMG at the University of Warwick, with funding secured from UKRI’s Faraday Battery Challenge, delivered by Innovate UK.
“Their support, coupled with our facilities and expertise, means we can deliver this innovative training programme that seeks to bridge the skills gap and serve as a gateway to electrification careers across multiple industries.”
To find out more about the programme and to enquire about the courses, please visit the programme page, or email:
[email protected]

Photo caption for the group shot:
L-R: Pritti Shoker (University College Birmingham B-MSP Project Manager), Mark McNally (MD and Owner of RAVMAC), Rosa Wells (University College Birmingham Dean for STEM and FE Principal), Rt. Hon Lord Hunt of Kings Heath OBE (Minister of State for Energy Security and Net Zero), Neil Davies (University College Birmingham Head of Engineering) and Michael Harkin (University College Birmingham Vice-Chancellor and Principal).

ENDS

NOTES FOR EDITORS
Further details about the B-MSP
University College Birmingham (UCB), in partnership with RAVMAC Ltd., Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG), and Cranfield University, secured funding from UKRI’s Faraday Battery Challenge, delivered by Innovate UK to establish a structured, scalable, and industry-aligned skills pathway in the West Midlands.
Developed with the support of leading industry players – including Microsoft, Atlas Copco, Rockwell Automation, Jaguar Land Rover, Pi-Kem, Delta Cosworth, and Yazaki – the programme draws on deep technical expertise and the latest manufacturing technology to align training with real-world production needs.
The programme is further strengthened by the guidance of an advisory board including representatives from the Electrification Skills Network (ESN), the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC), the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), the West Midlands Combined Authority, and the Greater Birmingham & Solihull Institute of Technology (GBSIOT), ensuring it aligns with wider workforce development and electrification initiatives.

About University College Birmingham
University College Birmingham’s mission is to ensure its students can follow their passion, while learning the industry skills employers want from graduates that meet today’s skills agenda.
Enterprise and practical experience are a key focus across the University’s degree courses, covering the areas of health and nursing, education, sport and physiotherapy, business and tourism, computing and cyber security, engineering and sustainable construction, food, psychology and creative services.
In the heart of Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, the University works with over 1,000 employers locally, nationally, and globally to ensure students have diverse industry experiences and complete their studies as a confident, career-ready graduate with specialist knowledge.
This focus is bolstered by the fact many of the degrees are awarded by the University of Warwick, ranked 9th in the UK by The Guardian League Table 2024. This is a developing partnership between two universities that aims to open progression pathways, with far-reaching benefits for learners.
Fully inclusive, the University has a diverse student population, 56% of whom come from within 30 miles of Birmingham. Through key partnerships, University College Birmingham is committed to widening access to university education, regardless of background.
Student support is paramount, and the University not only won best university in the West Midlands at the Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2024, but also came out top in the region for student support, postgraduate and international study, as voted for by students themselves.
The University has invested over £200 million into its facilities over the past decade, including cutting-edge sports facilities, and opened a Centre for Sustainable Construction in the 2023 academic year.
Website:  ucb.ac.uk/about-us/news/
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About the Faraday Battery Challenge
The Faraday Battery Challenge (FBC), delivered by Innovate UK, is a £610 million UKRI Challenge Fund investment, delivering a mission-led, research and innovation programme that covers “Lab to Factory” development, cutting-edge research, national scale-up infrastructure, and skills and training.
The FBC seeks to address market failures in road transport decarbonisation and to attract investors to the UK’s battery industry. By leveraging scientific strength, with our delivery partners: Faraday Institution, UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC) and Innovate UK, we are building an ecosystem that supports industry growth and ensures UK prosperity.
Learn more about FBC here.

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