Battery boost: Feds to help train 400 would-be EV sector workers in Windsor, Ont., with VR
Program will target laid off workers and is set to run from February 2025 until March 2026
The federal government, in partnership with Upskill Canada, says it's covering the cost to train as many as 400 people who want to land work inside the electric vehicle battery plant in Windsor, Ont.
The Battery Boost program focuses on simulation skills — through the use of virtual reality — and is meant to target laid off workers or people seeking a career shift.
It's set to run from February 2025 until March 2026, in a statement issued on Wednesday.
Training will run at the Invest WindsorEssex Automobility and Innovation Centre with "specialized curriculum" created in collaboration with NextStar Energy.
People who are granted admission and successfully complete the program will be eligible to move into specific roles at NextStar. And those who do not complete the training will still be given opportunities at other job placements within the area's EV supply chain.
Applications can be made online.
Canada's minister of innovation, science and industry says the training money follows his government's "historic" manufacturing investment announcements around EVs, batteries and hybrids.
"This is an important step to support our domestic electric vehicle and batter supply chains," said François-Philippe Champagne.
Fellow Liberal, Windsor—Tecumseh MP Irek Kusmierczyk, calls it a "game changer" for local workers and their families.
Joe Goncalves, who's the interim CEO at Invest WindsorEssex, says the program exemplifies the innovation and transformative potential the industry has.
"By combining cutting-edge VR training technology with tailored industry expertise, we are equipping Windsor-Essex workers with the skills they need to thrive in the growing battery manufacturing sector," he said.
As of last month, NextStar's chief operating officer said the company was still tracking for full production by late 2025 — with the factory being physically complete by mid-year.
In October, the plant began module production. Modules are groups of battery cells. The cells, which are currently being shipped in from another country, are expected to be produced at the Windsor factory starting in July 2025, according to Joe Araujo.
Roughly 600 people were hired as of November, he added, with another 600 or so coming early in the new year.
The company still pledges to eventually hire around 2,500 workers in total at the facility — with 2,000 by the end of 2025, and the remaining ones in the first quarter of 2026, Araujo said.