Reports

Worldwide, the demand for electric vehicle (EV) batteries rapidly increased in recent years as consumers and industries increasingly adopted sustainable transportation solutions. More than one in five cars sold worldwide in 2024 are expected to be electric, and battery manufacturing capacity is expected to exceed 9 terawatt hours (TWh) by 2030, growing from 2.5 TWh in 2023.

Ontario continues to shape the future of the global automotive and mobility industry, attracting significant investment and driving innovation across the sector. OVIN is taking the lead by introducing cutting-edge talent attraction, retention, and workforce development initiatives designed to strengthen Ontario’s position on the global stage. These initiatives are not just about meeting today’s needs but about future-proofing Ontario’s workforce to ensure long-term sustainability and resilience.

This report summarizes the key strategic and policy insights of a larger analysis based on three scenarios regarding the long-term jobs and skills needs of Ontario’s critical minerals sector.

As we charge forward to an electric future, the Critical Minerals Talent Strategy will serve as the foundation for engaging talent, advancing training and education programs, promoting meaningful engagement of women and other underrepresented groups in the sector, and establishing long-term trust and partnership with Indigenous communities. Together, these approaches support Ontario’s vision of a future-ready workforce primed to lead the automotive and mobility sector globally.

The electric vehicle (EV) charging industry has expanded rapidly in recent years, along with global ambitions to decarbonize the transport sector. EV chargers are essential to the development of the EV market – without sufficient charging infrastructure, the electrification of transport would not be able to keep pace with demand. This global expansion is pushing technological innovations, with EV charging organizations exploring opportunities for faster charging, wireless charging, and smart charging, and looking at how charging solutions can unlock opportunities for the sector.

Ontario is uniquely positioned to be a central player in the semiconductor supply chain. The province is home to sought-after technical expertise and key industrial dependencies in automotive and advanced manufacturing. Ontario can play a leading role in the semiconductor space through its robust automotive sector, providing the link between chip manufacturing, EVs, and advanced automotive and mobility technologies.

EV infrastructure, aftermarket and repair are the fourth and fifth stages of the automotive Electrification value chain and include the installation and maintenance of specialized infrastructure geared towards EVs, including grid planning/assessment, charging stations as well as servicing for EVs after they have been sold to the final user.

As a result of sectoral transformations, various skills and occupations are emerging in the EV motor sector, particularly in areas related to motor design and production, including expertise in design and electrical engineering. The increasing demand for technical skills and abilities in the sector highlights major trends in automation and digitalization within the sector.

Battery Manufacturing is the second stage of the automotive Electrification value chain, and in includes various stages of production, notably, battery cell components, battery cells, battery modules, pack assembly, and battery management systems. This report provides an overview of Ontario’s advancements, occupations and representation of minority groups in the sector.