Identifying and Developing the Battery Manufacturing Workforce: A Regional Analysis of Supply–Demand of Skilled Workers

Gigi Jones, Christiana McFarland, Michael Lee, Christa Reid, Emma Rose, Jacob Gottlieb and Ilan Falcon

Economic Development Quarterly, 2025, vol. 39, issue 1, 49-59

Abstract: Several regions throughout the country are at a crossroads in identifying and developing a sizeable workforce to support President Biden's 2030 zero-emission goals. This case study investigates the Youngstown–Warren–Boardman region's burgeoning viability in supplying the needed workers in its local electric vehicle battery manufacturing industry. This article presents findings from a mixed-methods approach that includes a supply–demand analysis of the region using Lightcast job-postings data; an analysis of the National Labor Exchange data to identify the most common and desirable skills by employers; a curriculum mapping analysis of local educational institutions training programs; and a cost–benefit analysis of program-educated employees that compares employees with only a high school education. Regional stakeholder interviews verified and clarified the findings. The authors conclude with a few partnership-driven recommendations that provide opportunities to strengthen and expand the electric vehicle battery manufacturing workforce for the Youngstown–Warren–Boardman and similar regions.

Keywords: manufacturing; EV manufacturing; EV workforce; workforce development (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:ecdequ:v:39:y:2025:i:1:p:49-59

DOI: 10.1177/08912424241274318

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