The U.S. battery storage industry is growing fast, but there’s a major problem: not enough skilled workers to meet demand. Between 2019 and 2025, battery storage deployment increased 25-fold, and battery production rose by nearly 140%. However, by 2026, the industry is expected to face a shortfall of 53,000 workers, especially in construction and installation roles. This shortage is slowing down projects, increasing risks, and creating regional imbalances, as many skilled workers are concentrated in states like California, while battery storage projects are booming in the South and Midwest.
Key challenges include:
- Skill Gaps: Workers need expertise in areas like power electronics, Battery Management Systems (BMS), safety protocols, and regulatory compliance.
- Regional Disparities: Skilled workers are often located far from where projects are happening, forcing companies to offer relocation packages or train local talent.
- Urgent Hiring Needs: Employers need to fill roles quickly, but the lack of trained professionals is delaying projects and causing operational risks.
To address these issues, new training programs, certifications, and partnerships are being developed. Initiatives like the Department of Energy’s Battery Workforce Challenge Program and short-term courses at institutions like SUNY Polytechnic Institute aim to prepare workers for these roles. Platforms like ABLEMKR are also helping connect certified professionals to projects, ensuring faster deployment and compliance.
The solution lies in expanding training opportunities, creating regional hubs, and prioritizing workforce planning alongside project execution. Without addressing the skills gap, the energy transition and battery storage growth could face significant delays.
U.S. Battery Storage Skills Gap: Key Stats & Workforce Shortage Data
The Skills Gap in Battery Storage: What It Is and Why It Matters
Defining the Skills Gap
A skills gap happens when workers’ current abilities don’t align with what employers need. In the battery storage industry, this gap is both wide-ranging and complex. Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) require expertise across multiple fields – electrical, mechanical, and chemical engineering, as well as safety, business, utility regulation, and finance. Ryan Franks, Senior Technical Solution Engineer at TWAICE, explains:
"Battery systems lie at the intersection of disciplines – electrical, mechanical, chemical engineering, along with safety, business, utility regulation, and finance. Most training programs isolate distinct disciplines."
This mismatch becomes even more pressing as job opportunities in battery storage continue to grow rapidly.
Job Growth Projections in Battery Storage
The global lithium-ion supply chain is expected to exceed $400 billion by 2030. While battery applications are expanding into areas like grid storage, aviation, AI, and defense, these advancements depend on a limited pool of skilled professionals. The Volta Foundation, which surveyed over 1,000 industry professionals for its Battery Talent Census, highlights this challenge:
"The battery industry is central to the global energy transition and U.S. industrial competitiveness… Yet, this rapid growth is constrained by workforce shortages, as employers report persistent gaps in skilled labor and training."
A lack of expertise in interpreting advanced BESS data leads to revenue losses and reactive troubleshooting, further compounding the issue.
Regional Workforce Challenges and Project Distribution
Regional labor shortages add another layer of complexity to the industry’s growth. Battery storage projects are often located based on grid requirements – factors like proximity to transmission infrastructure, land availability, and state incentives – rather than the availability of skilled workers. This creates a geographic imbalance.
The rise of the "Battery Belt" in the South and Midwest has drawn significant investments in BESS projects, but the skilled workforce is often concentrated in other regions. Employers are forced to offer relocation packages or hire skilled workers locally, both of which can slow down projects. This regional disparity contributes to delays and increases safety risks – not because the technology isn’t ready, but because there aren’t enough qualified professionals to implement and maintain it effectively.
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Critical Skill Gaps in Battery Storage Roles
Core Skill Areas for Battery Storage Work
The battery storage industry isn’t just looking for more workers – it’s looking for professionals with a very specific set of skills. Key technical areas include power electronics, Battery Management System (BMS) software, grid code compliance, and site safety protocols. On top of that, expertise in permitting processes, power market mechanics, and financial modeling is becoming increasingly essential. A striking 82% of battery industry employers reported a shortage of skilled local applicants in 2025, leading to delayed project timelines and heightened operational risks. Beyond technical know-how, there’s growing demand for individuals with cross-functional expertise.
The Need for Mixed-Skill Professionals
As the industry transitions from traditional contracted revenue models to merchant trading, arbitrage, and hybrid co-location strategies, the demand for professionals who blend technical expertise with business acumen has skyrocketed.
"The most underestimated shortage is not purely technical. It is the commercial-technical hybrid: the asset manager who can model dispatch strategy and present revenue assumptions to an investment committee in the same day." – Hayatte Loukili, Executive Search Director, EnableGreen
This hybrid skill set is rare, largely because the utility-scale BESS (Battery Energy Storage System) sector has only been around for five to seven years in most markets. To fill the gap, companies often reassign power trading professionals and train them in battery technology. However, this upskilling process can take longer than the industry’s rapid pace allows.
Skills by Job Role: A Breakdown
Each role in the battery storage sector faces unique skill shortages. Here’s a closer look at what’s missing:
| Job Role | Critical Missing Skills |
|---|---|
| Asset Managers / Revenue Optimizers | Battery dispatch modeling, power market expertise, merchant/arbitrage strategy |
| Grid Connection / Development Leads | Permitting, grid code compliance, TSO interface management, planning law |
| System Integration Engineers | Power electronics, BMS software integration, site safety protocols |
| Project Finance Professionals | BESS-specific merchant risk assessment, infrastructure debt structuring |
| Regulatory / ESG Specialists | EU Battery Regulation compliance, Digital Battery Passport management |
The urgency to hire is intense – companies often need to extend offers within 48–72 hours, as top candidates are frequently fielding multiple opportunities. These skill gaps not only slow project execution but also highlight the critical need for targeted training initiatives to keep up with the industry’s growth.
Training Programs Closing the Battery Storage Skills Gap
National and Regional Training Initiatives
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has taken a proactive approach to address the battery storage skills gap with its multi-year Battery Workforce Challenge Program. This initiative connects high schools, universities, and industry professionals through hands-on engineering competitions and a cloud-based Career-Connected Learning system.
"The Battery Workforce Challenge Program is the U.S. Department of Energy’s comprehensive electric vehicle and battery workforce development program that fosters a talent pipeline by building an educational ecosystem." – Battery Workforce Challenge Program
In March 2024, the DOE and the Department of Labor released the first-ever national guidelines for registered apprenticeships tailored to battery machine operators. These standards, developed in collaboration with battery manufacturers, community colleges, and unions, offer a consistent framework for training. They also allow employers to tap into public workforce development funding. This effort aligns with the surge in battery-related announcements – nearly 300 new or expanded facilities across the U.S. between 2021 and 2024. These programs are creating alternative pathways to help workers gain the necessary skills more quickly.
Certifications, Micro-Credentials, and Short Courses
SUNY Polytechnic Institute has introduced its Energy Storage Technology Training program, funded by NYSERDA, to address workforce readiness. This program includes an intensive two-week course covering battery management systems and cell manufacturing, followed by a two-semester Capstone for those seeking deeper specialization. It specifically targets high school graduates and underemployed individuals.
"The two training programs will teach attendees the fundamentals of energy storage technologies, giving you an understanding of battery cell manufacturing and teaching you the skills to manage storage units." – SUNY Poly
Participants who complete the program earn a certificate that verifies their entry-level skills – an essential step for entering the workforce.
Employer and Industry Partnership Programs
Collaborations between employers and educational institutions are another vital piece of the puzzle. For example, in August 2024, Ohio State University launched the BATTERI program, supported by a $22-million Battery Cell R&D Center. Partnering with Honda and Schaeffler, the program offers interdisciplinary research internships focused on clean-tech battery manufacturing and electrode optimization.
On the trades side, the California and Nevada IBEW/NECA Labor Management Cooperation Trust teamed up with ICF International and ProtoGen Energy for the Expanding Energy Storage and Microgrid Training and Certification (EESAMTAC) project. Backed by $1.25 million in Low-Carbon Economy Workforce funding, the project expanded its reach from 6 to 21 training centers by March 2022. It also introduced specialized low-voltage training equipment and a train-the-trainer curriculum. The goal? Certifying up to 600 electricians and apprentices, with over half coming from disadvantaged communities.
"This funding is critical to developing the infrastructure for training thousands of California electricians and building a skilled energy storage and microgrid workforce in the coming years that optimizes safety and performance." – Bernie Kotlier, Executive Director of the Labor Management Cooperation Trust
These efforts are pivotal in addressing the skills gap and ensuring the industry has the workforce it needs to sustain its rapid growth.
Battery Energy Storage Systems Fundamentals Part 4: Safety and Maintenance Frequency
How ABLEMKR Supports Workforce Deployment in Battery Storage
Training programs may increase the number of certified professionals, but the real challenge lies in deploying these workers efficiently and safely. That’s where ABLEMKR steps in.
Connecting Certified Workers to Battery Storage Projects
ABLEMKR’s platform streamlines the process of matching workers to battery storage projects by considering factors like certifications, safety training, availability, and location. When a project requires staffing, the platform filters its database to find workers with the exact credentials needed. This includes certifications in areas like battery design, packaging, safety, electrochemistry, testing, and grid storage technology.
For example, workers who have completed programs such as the UAlbany Energy Storage Technology Training Program – earning a Certificate of Attendance that covers essential topics like battery design, packaging, testing, and cell manufacturing – are ideal candidates for deployment through ABLEMKR’s system. This targeted approach ensures that the right talent is deployed quickly.
Fast Crew Deployment for Energy Storage Projects
Time is critical in the battery storage industry. In 2025, a staggering 82% of battery industry employers reported a lack of skilled local applicants, while over 90% of transmission system operators cited skill shortages as a direct cause of delays in grid infrastructure projects. With battery storage capacity expanding at a rate of 45% annually, delays in staffing can quickly derail project timelines.
"The firms that will execute most effectively are those treating battery storage recruitment as a strategic input to their business plan rather than a reactive function." – Hayatte Loukili, Executive Search Director, EnableGreen
ABLEMKR addresses these challenges by maintaining a pool of certified workers ready to mobilize within 48–72 hours. This rapid deployment capability allows employers to bypass the lengthy traditional hiring process, ensuring projects remain on schedule. Whether it’s for planned commissioning or to fill an urgent staffing gap, ABLEMKR minimizes delays while adhering to strict safety standards.
Real-Time Tracking of Qualifications and Compliance
Deploying workers quickly is only part of the equation – keeping their qualifications current is just as important. ABLEMKR offers employers real-time insights into worker certifications and compliance through integrated payroll workflows and live monitoring tools. This ensures every worker on a project meets the latest industry standards, reducing administrative burdens and supporting both project success and regulatory adherence.
Conclusion: Building the Workforce Battery Storage Needs
The battery storage industry is expanding rapidly, but the workforce needed to support it hasn’t kept pace. Skill shortages are creating delays and posing challenges to the energy transition. To overcome these obstacles, a focused and collaborative effort is essential to train workers at every stage of the talent pipeline.
This effort includes adding battery technology training to Career Technical Education (CTE) programs, developing regional training hubs, and offering short-term intensive programs to quickly prepare workers for on-the-ground roles. Micro-credentials and certificates of attendance can make it easier for individuals to enter the field without requiring a full degree, opening doors for more people eager to contribute.
Beyond training, employers must prioritize workforce planning as a critical part of project execution, alongside procurement, permitting, and financing. Data-driven tools like the Battery Talent Census – which gathers insights from over 1,000 industry professionals – can replace outdated hiring practices, providing actionable insights on compensation, retention, and skill needs. Platforms such as ABLEMKR further streamline the process by connecting certified workers to battery storage projects while ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory standards.
The technology is ready, and the funding is in place. What’s missing is the skilled workforce to bring these projects to life. Investing in workforce development now is vital to unlocking the full potential of our energy infrastructure.
FAQs
What battery storage jobs are in highest demand right now?
The battery storage industry is buzzing with opportunities, especially for professionals in roles like engineers, project managers, and safety specialists. There’s a particular demand for expertise in areas such as NFPA 855 safety standards, grid integration, and cutting-edge innovations like AI-enabled Virtual Power Plants. These roles are pivotal in driving the industry’s progress and meeting the rising demand for skilled talent in energy storage systems.
Which certifications help you get hired for BESS installation faster?
Certifications demonstrating your ability to safely manage and diagnose modern energy storage systems and battery technologies can make a big difference when applying for BESS installation roles. Credentials from programs like electrical apprenticeships or microgrid training initiatives showcase your skills with advanced battery systems and energy storage technologies – areas that employers are actively seeking expertise in.
How does ABLEMKR verify safety training and compliance on a project?
ABLEMKR leverages its platform’s integrated compliance tracking to keep tabs on worker certifications and safety training in real-time. This helps guarantee that every worker aligns with industry standards and meets specific project requirements.
