SK battery America, a manufacturing facility of SK Innovation Battery Business in the U.S., has signed a partnership agreement with Quick Start and Lanier Technical College in Georgia, U.S. to train 2,600 new jobs on July 30^th (local time).

Quick Start is Georgia’s internationally acclaimed economic development program that provides customized workforce training at no cost to qualified businesses in Georgia. It has trained more than 1.25 million workers through nearly 7,000 projects since 1967. Lanier Technical College provides technical and adult education to support the economic development and well-being of the people, communities, and companies of various counties including Jackson County.

▲ (Photo on the right) From left, Director of Quick Start Bruce Batton, President of SK battery America Junho Hwang, President of Lanier Technical College Ray Perren sign the training partnership agreement

SK battery America’s first EV battery manufacturing plant in Georgia is under construction and expected to start operating in 2021 with an annual capacity of 9.8 GWh, providing approximately 2,000 new high-skilled jobs. The firm also signed another 940 million USD investment in June to build the second plant here, which is set to produce 11.7GWh annually and create more than 600 additional new jobs. In total, SK battery America will provide about 2,600 jobs in the Jackson County area.

▲ President of SK battery America Junho Hwang (4^th from left), Governor of Georgia Brian P. Kemp (5^th from left) and other staff at the signing ceremony of SK Innovation’s additional investment in Georgia on June 25th (local time)

Pre-hire testing, job-specific training for each major production area and maintenance will be provided through Quick Start’s training program for SK battery America. The program will also include professional development and quality and productivity enhancement training courses. Previously, in order to prepare for the courses, Quick Start conducted a project study at SK Innovation’s battery factory in Seosan, South Korea. Quick Start is in charge of designing and developing training material, hands-on simulations, and providing instructors for the classes.

▲The employees of SK battery America participate in Quick Start training program

The partnership will continue after the Quick Start training completes. Lanier Technical College will keep assisting SK battery America with ongoing training programs.

▲ President of SK battery America Junho Hwang (right) delivers the certificates of completion to employees who finished the training courses

Jackie Rohosky, Technical College System of Georgia deputy commissioner and head of Quick Start commented, “This is a great partnership with a great company that will enhance the Jackson County community by providing thousands of jobs.” “This is what Quick Start is all about: providing training to companies that are creating jobs in Georgia,” he added.

Ray Perren, Lanier Technical College president said “Lanier Tech stands ready to help SK battery America and the community in every way we can.” “This is such a win for our community and SK battery America,” Perren continued.

“SK battery America is able to recruit talented employees and train them to be successful through the great partnership that we have with Georgia Quick Start and Lanier Technical College”, said Junho Hwang, president of SK battery America. “As our second plant construction is getting ready to begin, it is inevitable that our partnership will only grow stronger and will bring future for the Jackson Country community and SK battery America.”