• LG Energy Solution Michigan hires veterans with exceptional training skills and experiences to enhance battery production technology.
• Company commitment to giving veterans clear pathways to career growth

Although serving the country is an honorable and rewarding commitment, many who serve may look forward to exploring different career paths after they finish their service. But what’s available to them when they decide to hang up their military boots? Former Navy technicians, Marines and other specialized personnel who served in various careers possess a unique skillset that has seen many of them carve out successful careers in the EV, battery, and solar cell industries. Their strong sense of discipline and unique technical skills make them perfect candidates for the facilities manufacturing crucial batteries for EVs and various energy solutions, which is why LG Energy Solution has been on a push to hire the best of them.

According to Bloomberg, the EV and battery sectors have become an attractive destination for veterans with manufacturers building numerous plants in the U.S. The area known as the Battery Belt, which stretches from Michigan to the Carolinas and Arizona, is seeing a surge in construction projects driven by federal incentives designed to shift the nation away from fossil fuels. However, the industry is grappling with workforce shortages and skill gaps, particularly for engineers, technicians, and assemblers, as noted in a report by the Center for Automotive Research (CAR), a nonprofit that monitors the industry. As manufacturers and technical colleges rush to prepare employees for the new clean-tech facilities emerging nationwide, military veterans are stepping up to help bridge this skills gap.

As a global company that leads the mass production of advanced EV batteries, one way LG Energy Solution Michigan is paving the way to a more sustainable future is by connecting skilled veterans to growth opportunities in a promising industry. This important initiative was recently featured on the national community service TV show, “Military Makeover with Montel Williams,” which focuses on transforming the lives of veterans.

LG Energy Solution Michigan, a top-tier automotive supplier specializing in EV batteries, has been operational for 12 years having broken ground in 2010 and commenced production in 2012. Since then, the facility has produced EV batteries for Stellantis, Ford, General Motors (GM), and other major automakers.

To give an idea of what its veterans at LG Energy Solution Michigan do, employees were asked to share their insights for the episode, “Empowering Veterans for a Thriving Future.” Here’s what they had to say about their new lives with the leading battery maker.

“So, lithium-ion batteries, it’s like the next step forward for renewable energy,” said Evan Ritchie, an Assembly Manager at LG Energy Solution Michigan and U.S. Army veteran. “And doing my research when I was applying for here, LG Energy Solution paved the way for everyone to get started. It seems like all the other companies pulled from the things that LG Energy Solution designed and their processes. I wanted to get involved in manufacturing for skilled labor, specific things with a very high detail and quality and operational excellence. That really drew me in to want to become a part of this team.”

LG Energy Solution Michigan has been expanding its recruitment of veterans to fill roles in production, technical, and leadership positions. The interview highlighted how their skills and experiences contribute to the workplace.

“We really need to help our military and veteran population, whether it be veterans or military or spouses or even families. They’ve been serving in our country. They’ve got a lot of background and skillsets that we can actually use. We might have to retrain a little bit to get their mindset to think about what we do here, but it’s a technology. That’s what we’re all about is technology at LG Energy Solution, and they fit really well with their soft skills and the hard skills that they learned in the military.” said Terry Ferrier, a Senior Recruiter at LG Energy Solution Michigan who served in the U.S. Air Force.

“I think LG Energy Solution is a great company. I think they take really good care of their people. It’s exciting. I love what we do,” said Nadine Reyes, Crew Leader of Quality at LG Energy Solution Michigan. “I’m in quality. I’m all about quality. And I think that was instilled in the military, attention to detail. So, I think that you can bring a lot of what you’ve learned in the military to LG,” she added.

Moreover, the veterans featured on the show explained some similarities between working in the military and working at LG Energy Solution Michigan, such as clear paths for career development and opportunities to ascend within the organization.

They also emphasized the importance of earning the trust of colleagues through collaboration work and by understanding their daily tasks. When those with a military background joins a team, their expertise and leadership often boost their team members’ morale and helps them achieve their shared objectives.

Meanwhile, LG Energy Solution Michigan is transitioning to a smart factory model that requires many more skilled technicians and engineers. The company believes staying ahead not only in terms of lithium-ion battery technology, but also next-generation battery developments will inspire an influx of talent joining the organization.

In this context, the TV show, aimed at the military community and a national audience, allows LG Energy Solution to enhance its brand awareness to help with recruiting within the military and veteran community, while supporting global initiatives focused on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I), as well as its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) efforts.

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