Auto Industry Offers Opportunity for Tomorrow’s Workforce
Attracting the best talent is an important part of doing business for any company in any sector. This is especially true for the auto manufacturing industry, where the rapid rise of electric vehicles and sustainability efforts are not only transforming the way vehicles are made but also creating new career pathways for the skilled workers to build the cars of tomorrow.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the automotive manufacturing industry employed approximately 993,000 people in May 2022, an increase of more than 59,000 from May 2021.
With new vehicle demand at an all-time high and EVs continuing to gain popularity with consumers, more in-demand, career-launching job opportunities are opening each day in this fast-paced, evolving industry.
EVs Drive Demand for Talent
A recent study from Experian shows that EV registrations skyrocketed by 60% in the first quarter of 2022 as buyers gravitate toward more fuel-efficient, green vehicles. If consumer demand continues to grow and EVs and BEVs (battery electric vehicles) rise to 50% of domestic auto sales by 2030, employment in the U.S. auto sector could rise by more than 150,000 jobs.
Electric vehicles and the technology behind them have come a long way since the 2000s with the emergence of hybrids like the Chevy Volt and the all-electric Tesla Roadster. In addition to more vehicle models, better battery technology and expanded charging infrastructure, the rapid evolution of EVs has transformed manufacturing.
Though more complex than internal combustion engine cars, EVs require fewer parts and potentially less maintenance. As a result, a large, highly skilled, multidisciplinary workforce is needed to design and manufacture EVs as well as the parts, batteries and charging stations they depend on. From electrical engineers and software developers to computer-controlled machine tool operators and assembly technicians, the EV industry shows great potential for talented workers looking for a well-paying, innovative and highly rewarding career.
Preparing for the Changing Workforce
As automakers in the U.S. and across the globe move full-steam ahead to build and sell more EVs to more car buyers, the industry is also putting the spotlight on workforce development to meet the need — and many organizations are taking creative approaches to build talent pipelines to attract and train skilled EV workers.
In Michigan, JVIS’ home state that put the world on wheels, public and private sector leaders having been working to maintain the state’s competitive edge in the new automotive frontier.
In Detroit, Wayne State University is home to the nation’s first Electric-drive Vehicle Engineering (EVE) training program. Most recently Wayne State launched the Mobility Academy to support the education and workforce development in mobility through graduate-level programs and training courses covering every spectrum of vehicle electrification and automotive mobility.
On the state level, the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity created the Michigan Revolution for Electrification of Vehicles (MiREV) program to help companies build customizable EV job training academies. Led by the Michigan Alliance for Greater Mobility Advancement, MiREV will serve approximately 700 individuals through rapid and accelerated training and retraining for emerging technologies in connected, autonomous, lightweight, hybrid, electric, alternative fuel and other advanced vehicle technologies.
Innovation and Opportunity at JVIS
JVIS is proud to be part of this migration from cars powered by fossil fuels to game-changing electric vehicles. From the start, JVIS has been at the forefront of change, partnering with multiple EV companies currently in production and pre-production, developing a host of technologies to supplement, enhance and bolster the rise of EVs.
There is truly something for everyone in what some call the “automotive space race;” and as an electric vehicle technology leader, JVIS offers a wide range of career opportunities for those looking to get in on the ground floor and be a part of the revolution.
From machine operators and CMM technicians to lighting design and manufacturing engineers and more, JVIS is currently hiring for numerous positions supporting our efforts in the development of EV technologies. Want to be part of our future? Check out our openings at JVIS.us/careers.