Infinity Lithium Corporation Ltd (ASX:INF)’s wholly-owned Spanish subsidiary Extremadura New Energies has executed a collaboration agreement with EIT InnoEnergy to implement training courses, including hydrogen training and development programs, of the European Battery Academy (EBA) in Extremadura, Spain.
The EBA works closely with EBA250 members (the largest European association in the battery industry) to identify and frame the main skill demands across the European battery value chain.
According to the EBA, "New projects across the value chain are expected to create between 3 and 4 million direct and indirect jobs over the next few years. It follows that approximately 800,000 workers will need to be trained, upskilled or reskilled by 2025 to meet this demand – that’s a staggering 160,000 workers to be trained every year."
Extremadura is working hard to be at the forefront of battery training, particularly in sectors that are in full development in Spain and throughout Europe under the EBA.
Extremadura will now work closely with EIT InnoEnergy, which has been designated by the European Commission to manage and lead the industrial development program of the European Battery Alliance under EBA250.
New energies prioritised for training
As per the agreement with EIT InnoEnergy, Extremadura will be a priority partner for the distribution, promotion and delivery of courses covering a wide variety of topics related to technology, business and innovation in the battery and hydrogen sector in the Extremadura community.
The agreement with EIT follows the local agreement signed with Cáceres local business association LOABRE and Extremadura Electric Mobility Cluster CarEX – known as the Group – to launch a lithium-ion battery training and development program.
Read: Infinity Lithium subsidiary inks deal to accelerate lithium-ion battery training in Spain
The agreements have provided the framework for Extremadura, EIT InnoEnergy and the group to create specified training courses in energy storage, electric mobility and renewable energies.
These courses are expected to generate an ecosystem that boosts economic growth, and the fight against unemployment and depopulation in the region, while supporting the generation of social and economic opportunities in Cáceres and Extremadura.
Highlighting the strategic importance of this collaboration with EIT InnoEnergy, Extremadura New Energies CEO, Ramón Jiménez said it "will allow Extremadura to be at the forefront of training related to sectors that are in full development in Spain and throughout Europe".
Jiménez also highlighted the commitment that the Cáceres company will make in the coming months to advance in the training field, "which will open up new job prospects for many young people from Extremadura related to the lithium value chain”.
To strengthen the collaboration with CarEX and support of President Tomás Sánchez, Extremadura New Energies general manager David Valls has been appointed as vice president of the group.