Project DEBUT WM - Digitally Enhanced Battery Ubiquitous Training West Midlands

Funded by InnovateUK Faraday Battery Challenge, the **Digital Enhanced Battery Ubiquitous Training-West Midlands (DEBUT-WM)** project convenes regional academic, local government and industrial experts to deliver a new and innovative battery manufacturing L2 &L3 training programme for the West Midlands.

Building on already established leading regional battery technical and scaleup know-how and capabilities in Warwick Manufacturing Group and expertise in the wider regional battery industry DEBUT-WM will harness both physical and digital learning techniques and technologies building on and informed by the N**ational Electrification Skills Framework** to deliver a unique learning experience to grow the region's workforce, whilst also providing the catalyst for wider UK engagement based on regional partnerships to enable workforce skills transition developing high value competencies through re-skilling, up skilling and new skills in battery manufacturing. This ambitious and novel blend of traditional physical training coupled with 'state of the art' immersive digital technologies such as augmented (AR), virtual (VR) and mixed reality (MR) will enable students to navigate the whole battery manufacturing process in a safe and structured manner from initial electrode manufacture, cell assembly, formation, aging and testing to module and complete battery pack assembly.

The DEBUT-WM training programme will target organisations, functions and individuals directly involved in battery workforce capability development. The project delivery will be tailored to focus on Level 2 & 3 skills relating to battery technology productionisation; for example technicians, the production workforce for operational scale-up of battery technologies, technical disciplines in maintenance and engineering and quality assurance functions directly associated with a battery manufacturing environment.

DEBUT-WM recognises the importance and value for growing regional capabilities and is actively promoting EDI access and opportunity for all through its network of academic, industrial and local government partnerships in the region. To ensure a coordinated and targeted response to opportunities, DEBUT-WM has established a new **Battery Training Advisory Group (BTAG)** focused on securing a sustainable business model, encompassing regional / national outreach, national course accreditation and training provision with recognised sustainable funding mechanisms.

**DEBUT-WM** Support Partnership - **University College Birmingham, West Midland Combined Authority, Greater Birmingham and Solihull Institute of Technology, Warwick Manufacturing Group, RAVMAC, Jaguar Land Rover, Delta Cosworth, Zytek Automotive, Cranfield University, Microsoft, Manufacturing Technology Centre.**