Efforts to expand apprenticeships for northern Nevada’s growing electric vehicle (EV) industry are being highlighted this week at The Forum 2026, a national workforce conference hosted by the National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB) in Las Vegas.
As part of the conference, a select group of workforce, industry, and education leaders from ten states and Puerto Rico convened for a special day-long program about the EV industry, with support from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Apprenticeship Building America initiative.
Labor market data shows a nationwide shortage of workers with relevant EV skills, particularly in occupations that require industry credentials rather than college degrees. Through apprenticeships, workers have the potential to earn competitive wages while learning new skills.
“When you think about how technical some of these jobs are and how expensive that secondary education is, having an opportunity to earn and learn at the same time is incredibly valuable,” said Drew Bercich, National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB) CEO. “It is valuable not just for the employee, as they are saving potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars in student loan debt, but it is also very valuable for the employer because they are actually able to train someone specifically on they work that they do.”
The session highlighted potential career pathways and apprenticeship opportunities across the EV supply chain from mineral extraction and battery manufacturing to vehicle production, maintenance, and transportation – all sectors rapidly expanding across the region.
“We’re excited about sharing the work that’s being done, particularly in northern Nevada around EVs,” said Milt Stewart, CEO of Nevadaworks, northern Nevada’s local workforce development board. “The lithium life-cycle is really exploding in Northern Nevada – the mining processing, manufacturing and recycling of lithium.”
In fact, Nevada is home to North America’s largest known lithium deposit and is becoming a major hub for EV and battery manufacturing. Investments from automakers, energy companies, and public funding are accelerating the region’s role in the national EV economy.
“A lot of this is happening within Northern Nevada, but there are quite a few of the components, especially in the training, that is happening in Southern Nevada. So our entire state is engaged in the process,” said Natalie Brown, Ph.D. Assistant Vice Chancellor for Workforce Development and Community Colleges with the Nevada System of Higher Education.
During the session on the EV industry, participants engaged in focused discussions and learning sessions. The day also included a pitch competition aimed at driving innovation and strengthening collaboration while underscoring Northern Nevada’s growing importance in the EV supply chain.
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