Photo credit: hechingerreport.org
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Inside a classroom at Kansas City Kansas Community College, a group of 20 students delved into the fundamentals of circuit boards, experimenting with knobs, switches, levers, and wires to light up tiny bulbs. This hands-on experience is part of an eight-week apprenticeship program sponsored by Panasonic, designed to provide participants with both classroom instruction and on-the-job training. Upon completion, these students will become the first workforce members at Panasonic’s forthcoming electric vehicle battery factory located in De Soto, Kansas, which is anticipated to be the largest EV battery factory globally, with plans to employ approximately 4,000 workers.
Panasonic has invested in this program by covering the students’ tuition and compensating the instructors involved. Such apprenticeship initiatives are increasingly viewed as pivotal for workforce development, forging partnerships between industry and community colleges to create programs that align education with employer needs. This specific curriculum was adapted rapidly to meet the urgent demands of the factory.
“We’re assisting them in building their workforce from the ground up,” remarked Greg Mosier, president of Kansas City Kansas Community College (KCKCC).
Under the Biden administration, significant federal investments have been made to enhance domestic electric vehicle and battery manufacturing. Bipartisan legislation has driven a surge in the clean energy sector, aiming to bolster U.S. competitiveness and mitigate climate change. This move has catalyzed private sector investment, leading to an unprecedented demand for skilled labor in these emerging fields.
Conversely, the previous Trump administration has introduced uncertainties to this career trajectory. President Trump’s inauguration marked the cancellation of ambitious climate goals previously established, including the target for electric vehicles to compose half of all new car sales in the U.S. by 2030. His administration’s initiatives included halting tax credits for electric vehicles and attempting to reverse environmental regulations, which could drastically reshape the sector’s future.
A Princeton study suggested that such policy shifts could lead to a decline in electric vehicle manufacturing in the U.S., predicting a 40 percent reduction in battery sales by 2030 and jeopardizing the viability of numerous existing plants. Currently, electric vehicles make up more than 8 percent of total vehicle sales, as reported in late 2024.
Despite initial cooperation with the media for coverage of the KCKCC classes, Panasonic later withdrew access three days before an anticipated visit, leaving questions unanswered regarding their operations and student experiences.
Few state officials have commented on how changing federal policies might impact community colleges and associated businesses. Kansas Governor Laura Kelly opted not to offer insights, while Rep. Sharice Davids expressed her concerns, labeling Trump’s rollback of tax incentives as detrimental, stating that it generates uncertainty not only for Panasonic but also for all stakeholders, including employees and local vendors.
Community colleges have stepped up to cultivate a competent workforce tailored to electric vehicle companies, recognizing that many related occupations necessitate some postsecondary education without requiring a four-year degree. Institutions like Pima Community College in Arizona, Richland Community College in Illinois, Wake Technical Community College in North Carolina, and Rio Hondo College in California have initiated similar initiatives.
The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) runs an Electric Vehicles Hub in partnership with Tesla and Panasonic, funded by $8 million in federal resources, enabling colleges to exchange best practices and monitor student results. However, there is a scarcity of qualified instructors and the specialized equipment needed for such programs is expensive, as highlighted by Martha Parham, the association’s communications leader. The lab at KCKCC, equipped with specialized technology, represented a $5 million investment.
KCKCC has modified an existing two-year advanced manufacturing curriculum to create an initial 16-week course comprising both theoretical and practical training. However, the urgent needs of Panasonic prompted a revision, condensing the course to eight weeks, thereby increasing student participation potential. Both KCKCC and Johnson County Community College (JCCC) plan to cycle through 200 students annually in this introductory program, offering starting salaries exceeding $50,000.
JCCC is set to launch its own program in June, training Panasonic supervisors as instructors, which will aid in fostering familiarity for students transitioning to factory roles. The credentials from these programs will be stackable, contributing toward associate degrees at both institutions. Moreover, JCCC has secured an agreement with Kansas State University to have these qualifications recognized as part of a bachelor’s degree in engineering technology.
Panasonic additionally supports students in various KCKCC classes, including an associate degree in automation engineering. Justin Jefferson, a student in this program, expressed his determination to work for Panasonic after graduating. “Panasonic is prepping for the future,” said Jefferson, who has previously held diverse jobs ranging from a butcher to a health aide. Now, he prioritizes job stability, aiming to escape the stress of financial uncertainty.
Interest in Panasonic’s offerings has been substantial, with local school district leaders reaching out to learn about opportunities for their students. Keely Schneider, executive director for Workforce Partnership, noted a marked increase in interest among job seekers in the Kansas City metropolitan area.
While community colleges have largely escaped the focus of Trump administration budget cuts, they remain susceptible to financial vulnerabilities. During the 2022-23 academic year, nearly 15 percent of their budgets relied on federal support, with 48 percent of community college students receiving federal aid, including Pell Grants.
Last week, Trump announced an executive order for the expansion of apprenticeship programs. His education secretary has discussed enhancing postsecondary educational pathways and suggested allowing Pell Grants to encompass short-term training programs. Contradictorily, the administration has canceled funding for certain apprenticeship initiatives and research projects.
On a recent February weekday, the Panasonic facility site in De Soto buzzed with activity. Nestled within the grounds of the former Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant, long abandoned, residents had previously voiced concerns over the future of the site, fearing it would remain a “zombie wasteland.”
Today, the expansive construction site is teeming with cranes and workers, and local businesses have thrived. The town has reported a 130 percent increase in sales tax revenues since Panasonic’s arrival, enabling them to reduce property taxes significantly.
Greg LeRoy, of Good Jobs First, cautions that substantial public funding is involved, noting that the Kansas Legislature allocated more than $829 million in incentives to secure Panasonic’s investment, along with potential federal tax credits estimated at $6.8 billion. He emphasized that the availability of these public funds is contingent on production rates, which are now clouded by the federal policy changes.
Local governments face substantial risks after investing significant resources in development and infrastructure for the Panasonic facility, requiring extensive land preparation and construction of new utilities. “They had to build an entirely new fire station due to the special fire risks associated with this plant,” LeRoy noted. He shared concerns regarding other such initiatives, citing the largely unfulfilled promise of FoxConn’s factory in Wisconsin and its financial burden on local governments.
Mayor Walker stated that De Soto has invested $2 million to enhance road infrastructure, which attracted an additional $60 million from state funds. “Even if Panasonic decided to cease operations before even opening, we’re not on the verge of bankruptcy,” he assured, highlighting that Panasonic is utilizing Tax Increment Financing to fund much of the related work, which allocates future tax revenues for needed developments.
If electric vehicle demand wanes, the repercussions could include reduced investment in workforce training and job availability, adversely affecting communities in Kansas. Nevertheless, many locals, particularly in the Kansas City area, remain optimistic about the future of electric vehicles. “EVs are here to stay,” became a common sentiment among residents.
Walker, who is also an engineer, expressed concern over the federal government’s retreat from battery-operated vehicles, citing their efficiency and the broader environmental implications. However, he firmly believes in the inevitability of electric vehicle adoption, stating, “While demand may fluctuate, I can’t see it completely stagnating or reversing.”
McCloud from JCCC acknowledged some apprehension but reported no widespread doubts regarding the factory’s long-term viability. He noted that while the plant is tailored for electric vehicle batteries, the technology may also find applications elsewhere. Similarly, Mosier from KCKCC expressed confidence that minor federal actions would not derail ongoing efforts in the electric vehicle sector.
Finally, Justin Jefferson maintains a hopeful outlook on his future within the electric vehicle battery industry, drawing inspiration from success stories of long-term employees in companies like General Motors. “That’s my goal,” he remarked.
Source
hechingerreport.org