The hub will connect PEMD training and education providers with employers and learners to help grow the workforce needed to build future net zero technologies.
A new online platform for the power electronics, machines and drives (PEMD) community aims to support the UK’s workforce to develop the skills needed to deliver net zero technologies.
The Skills Hub has been funded by the driving the electric revolution challenge at UK Research and Innovation.
The challenge, delivered by Innovate UK, has awarded Coventry University £1 million to create and develop an online platform to support the growth of the PEMD workforce in the UK.
Investing in the future
Coventry University will use the funding to establish a platform connecting PEMD training and education course providers with employers and learners seeking to develop their skills.
With the platform designed to run for at least the next 10 years, the funding from driving the electric revolution challenge includes operational costs for the next three years.
By investing in the training process, driving the electric revolution is contributing to the development of a robust, UK-based supply chain for PEMD manufacture. Something that is essential if the UK is to meet its net zero targets by 2050.
The Skills Hub
Although not delivering or creating training itself, the Skills Hub aims to:
- be a library for all publicly available PEMD related training and its providers in the UK
- provide impartial information and guidance to the UK’s PEMD community about training courses and educational materials
- work with training providers to display suitable courses within the platform
- actively engage with businesses of all sizes to direct them to suitable training
- listen to any industry about their PEMD training needs
- encourage the creation of content to address gaps in training needs
- actively promote equality, diversity, and inclusion for PEMD skills.
Next generation needs
For the world to reach net zero carbon emissions, industries of all kinds must move to clean technologies and electrification.
Electrification is generating a massive need for next-generation PEMD technologies, whether for electric vehicles, hybrid aircraft, trains, or a host of other applications and appliances.
But it’s not just the technology that needs to advance. We also need to invest in the workforce.
PEMD skills shortage
Professor Will Drury, challenge director for driving the electric revolution said:
It’s no secret we have a skills shortage in the PEMD community.
As the world moves towards a net zero future and technology advances, we must make sure our workforce does the same.
This Skills Hub is designed to support employers and their employees, providing impartial signposting to the training available.
When the hub is up and running, I urge everyone in the PEMD community to visit and discover how they can help develop you and your team’s skills.
Specialised market space
Deepak Farmah, Head of Industrial Innovation, Coventry University, said:
We are delighted to be leading this important initiative, which will build on expertise in delivering national skills interventions for growing markets.
We will build a high value innovative skills hub that will become the ‘go-to’ place for employers in need of the right skills and capabilities.
The Skills Hub will create a specialised market space in which multiple sectors and training providers can take advantage of a range of benefits that serve as a commons for PEMD activity, information and research.
Further information
For more information on this project, how it will work and how to get involved, contact Deepak Farmah, Head of Industrial Innovation at Coventry University, via dfarmah@cusltd.co.uk
Top image: Credit: FG Trade, E+ via Getty Images