September 29, 2023

Forsyth Technical Community College is proud to announce their partnership with Soelect and the Carolina Battery Institute to develop and advance training opportunities and to expand an advanced technology workforce through an Active Community Education (“ACE”) workforce training program.

Speaking at an open house on Tuesday, September 26, Dr. Sung-Jin Cho, CEO of Soelect, addressed a common challenge faced by the company in recent years – the shortage of skilled battery technicians. To address this issue, Dr. Cho announced the signing of a contract between Soelect Incorporated and Forsyth Tech. This groundbreaking partnership will enable Forsyth Tech to collaborate with Soelect in providing specialized training programs to prepare individuals for careers at the cutting edge of battery technology.

Governor Cooper joined the open house event hosted by Soelect Incorporated and the Carolina Battery Institute. Soelect Incorporated is a company with over five years of experience in manufacturing electric vehicle components; the Carolina Batter Institute is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing electric vehicle workforce development within the state.

The event marked a momentous occasion for clean energy enthusiasts, as Forsyth Tech the first community college to officially partner with Soelect and the Carolina Battery Institute. This partnership signifies a pivotal step toward North Carolina’s ambition to become a frontrunner in the clean energy sector.

Furthermore, the company and the school share a mutual aspiration to establish a new and thriving relationship and foster a collaborative spirit between the parties. “This partnership and Active Community Engagement training program are excellent examples of the collaboration that Forsyth Tech and community colleges are experts at,” said Dr. Janet Spriggs, President of Forsyth Tech. “We’re proud to work with Soelect and the Carolina Battery Institute, and provide pathways to careers with family-sustaining wages for the people in our community.”  

Governor Cooper’s appearance at the open house was a clear demonstration of his administration’s dedication to accelerating North Carolina’s clean energy initiatives and fostering partnerships that drive workforce development in the electric vehicle sector.

The collaboration between Soelect Incorporated, the Carolina Battery Institute, and Forsyth Tech signifies a significant stride toward North Carolina’s vision of becoming a leader in clean energy innovation and workforce development.