Ultium Cells to build next generation of manufacturing workforce in Middle TN

The Ultium Cells car battery plant in Spring Hill, under construction for almost two years, is close to completion and will soon anchor the electric battery manufacturer as a prime industry in Southern Middle Tennessee.

With 1,700 open jobs, the company is recruiting a "talent pipeline" at area educational institutions, creating the next generation of workers in the Middle Tennessee manufacturing market for years to come.

Plant manager Chris Desautels says the company is strategizing to attract skilled workers in the company's own backyard.

Desautels, who has recently visited a slew of local colleges and universities promoting the opportunities at Ultium, says the company seeks to serve the region by staffing a local workforce and being involved in the community for decades.

"Many ask what's going to go on in that big white building," said Desautels, who hails from the first Ultium plant in Ohio.

The white rectangle building, spanning the size of 30 football fields, will produce batteries for electric vehicles in the $2 billion-plus, 2.8 million square foot facility, which is projected to be fully operational by 2025.

Using anode and cathode technology, the plant will produce the batteries at each stage from raw material (nickel, cobalt, manganese, and aluminum) to end product, or a fully charged battery ready to insert into the General Motors electric Lyriq SUV. The technology requires 70% less cobalt than other formats.

Tennessee 'proactive' in building training programs

The company is casting its recruiting net to institutions like the Tennessee College of Applied Technology campuses in the region, Columbia State Community College, Middle Tennessee State University, University of Tennessee campuses, Tennessee Tech, University of Memphis and Vanderbilt University to name a few.

"There is a career waiting for those interested in manufacturing," Desautels said. "Some young people don't realize that manufacturing is out there as a career. They might find a path that they never knew they could take."

He said manufacturing is not like the old assembly line model once associated with the industry.

"It's flexible and hands-on, requiring problem solving and analyzation skills as well as interfacing with machinery. Everyday is not the same," Desautels said.

Regional institutions such as Tennessee College of Applied Technology at Pulaski have bolstered their programs to accommodate the demand for manufacturing workers in the region with the advent of such companies like Ultium, JC Ford tortilla machine maker, Mersen graphite production, Documotion print company and of course long-standing General Motors. Meanwhile, BlueOval City Ford auto giant will soon offer another opportunity to enter the auto manufacturing industry in West Tennessee.

“Fortunately, Tennessee has been proactive in developing the educational infrastructure and talent Ultium Cells needs to operate,” Desautels said.

Maury County has already experienced its share of watershed moments over the past few years, establishing itself as the fastest growing county in Tennessee, according to the 2020 U.S Census and ranking No. 1 in incoming investments in the state in 2021 by think-tank SmartAsset, which stems from major manufacturers expanding to Southern Middle Tennessee. Over the past few years, Maury has exceeded past markers for growth in manufacturing, real estate, population growth and small business.

With a growing economy, investments and job opportunities, companies are looking to the region to provide a robust workforce.

Dalton Pelfrey, TCAT-Pulaski Advanced Manufacturing Education instructor, says the Advanced Manufacturing class was created several years ago as a response to the booming manufacturing industry in Middle and Southern Middle Tennessee.

"Almost all of my students go into the automotive sector because there is such a large opportunity here," Pelfrey said. "Many industries such as plastics, batteries and mechatronics all end up supporting the automotive industry."

Demand for workers unrelenting in foreseeable future

However, Pelfrey said it's difficult for the institution to keep up with the industry's demand for workers.

"I need more students," he said.

Tonja Garrett, TCAT-Pulsaki Workforce and Community Engagement Coordinator, says the college plans to keep partnerships strong with area high schools in order to attract a steady stream of manufacturing students.

"TCAT-Pulaski understands this critical issue, and we are working to expand our program offerings on campus to meet the needs of businesses and industry along with adding more dual enrollment opportunities onsite at high schools in the region," Garrett said.

By 2026, she said the college plans to add more courses and programs to keep up with the demand for trained manufacturing and technical workers.

"Ongoing collaboration between educational institutions and employers can further support workforce needs," Garrett said.

High schools contribute to the 'pipeline'

Maury County Public Schools and Williamson County Schools, for example, offer robust mechatronics programs that include tours and internships with manufacturers in the region as well as other manufacturing-focused programs.

Amy Roberts, Maury County Public Schools Supervisor of Careers in Technology and Engineering programs, said the school district has an early role in creating the future employees for companies like Ultium.

"We recognize the rich opportunities for our students in the automotive industry in our district, especially in automotive manufacturing and technology," Roberts said. "The advanced manufacturing and STEM Engineering programs offered in many of our county schools are a great way for our students to acclimate to the work being done in our local industries.

"The skills attained in these courses will recreate an employee pipeline to not only allow our students to find work that is high skill and high wage, but also remain here in Maury County."

Reaching economically disadvantaged students

The opportunities available could be lifechanging for some students who are the first in their family to earn a higher degree in surrounding "transitional" or "distressed" counties in Southern Middle Tennessee.

According to 2022 data from the Economic Innovation Group, the Ultium Cells facility is within a 45-minute drive of seven “At Risk” zip codes and under one hour from two “Distressed” zip codes, as stated in a recent Ultium Cells talent acquisition strategy release. The data rates counties from "prosperous" to "distressed" based on poverty rate, income level, education and unemployment rates.

"Ultium Cells will emphasize building long-term relationships with rural and often economically disadvantaged communities to the south, east and west of its factory," the Ultium recruitment strategy summary states.

"For communities like Centerville, Mt. Pleasant, Summertown and Lewisburg, where nearby economic and career opportunities have been scarce, the relatively short commute is a welcome development."

Pelfrey said the current career opportunities available can be a game-changer for economically disadvantaged students.

"A lot of my students' parents didn't go to college," he said. "They might be the first in their family to obtain a higher degree. Learning in-demand skills and getting a technical diploma can be life-changing."

Desautels believes Ultium Cells can help spread the opportunity of the state's thriving electric vehicle economy to economically disadvantaged parts of the state.

“We hope to employ team members wherever they are in their educational journey,” Desautels said.

He also highlighted the company's tuition reimbursement program that allows employees to pursue higher education while working at the plant.

'Big white building' to be fully operational by 2025

Spring Hill is the second site of three Ultium Cells factories in the U.S. The first is located in Warren, Ohio, which started production in November 2022 and just celebrated the production of its 10 millionth battery cell. The third plant will be in Lansing, Michigan.

GM has a goal of producing all electric vehicles by 2035, according to company reports.

The Ultium Cells plants are all of similar size and structure, reflected at the $2 billion-plus Spring Hill plant.

Desautels calls the Spring Hill plant a "start-up" since the company is new to the industry being the second of three Ultium plants in a joint venture between South Korea-based LG Energy Solutions (a division of LG) and General Motors.

"The start-up nature of the company allows workers to start at the beginning and work their way up as they learn the industry," Desautels said.

And he says the future of the industry is bright.

"In manufacturing and the auto industry, I've never seen change like this. It's changing so quickly in EV v. gas vehicles.

Desautels says that partnering with the community has been a priority for the company, giving back to such nonprofits and organizations as the Boys and Girls Clubs, Keep Maury Beautiful, Maury County Fair and others. The company has also participated in First Fridays and will continue to recruit and collaborate with educational institutions.

"We want to make long-term relationships and have a long-term vision," he said. "We are excited about the future and opportunities to partner with the community."

For more information about Ultium Cells, please visit www.ultiumcell.com.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Herald: Ultium Cells seeks local workers to build generational footprint in Middle TN