PowerCo Canada is about to start construction on its massive $7 billion EV battery plant in St. Thomas, which means a major recruitment campaign is underway. In this episode of Making it in Ontario, we sit down with Norman Wickboldt, PowerCo Canada’s CHRO, for a deep dive into the hiring plans—including what types of skills will be needed (and when), the differences between working in an EV battery plant versus a traditional vehicle assembly plant, and how PowerCo Canada is building a robust talent pipeline for the future.

• 00:00 Introduction to Making it in Ontario
• 04:56 Norman's Background and Career Journey
• 11:18 First Impressions of Canada and Working With St. Thomas
• 15:48 Working in an EV Battery Operation vs a Traditional Vehicle Assembly Plant
• 17:51 Recruitment Scale and Timing
• 20:36 Who Should Apply and How to Prepare
• 24:08 Types of Opportunities Available Now and in the Near Future
• 25:47 PowerCo Canada’s Strategy To Build a Robust Talent Pipeline
• 29:07 PowerCo’s Values and Culture
• 33:44 Future of Work in Advanced Manufacturing

Highlighted Links

• PowerCo Careers in St. Thomas: https://careers.powerco.de/go/St_-Thomas/9527301/
• Making it in Ontario Season 11, Episode 4 with Sean Dyke, “Why PowerCo Invested $7 Billion in St. Thomas, ON” https://player.captivate.fm/episode/21f19b80-993d-4ca5-8020-e229493921e3/

Find Out More about PowerCo

• Website: powerco.de
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/powerco-se
• Facebook: facebook.com/PowerCoOfficial
• Instagram: instagram.com/powerco_se

Find Out More About Trillium

• Trillium website: trilliummfg.ca
• Trillium GIS: trilliumgis.ca
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/trilliummfg
• X/Twitter: x.com/TrilliumMfg
• Instagram: instagram.com/trilliummfg
• Facebook: facebook.com/trilliummfg
• Old ‘Making it in Ontario’ Episodes: https://soundcloud.com/making-it-in-ontario-past

About the Making it in Ontario Podcast

Making it in Ontario is your window into what's next in manufacturing. Ontario’s economy depends on manufacturing, but the latest research reveals concerning trends that could undermine the sector’s strength—if we don’t address them. Join us as we talk to CEOs and other leaders at the forefront of the sector about productivity, strategy, talent markets and career opportunities, and the role of manufacturing in a prosperous and sustainable future.

This podcast is an initiative of the Trillium Network for Advanced Manufacturing. It is produced by Storied Places Media.