LG Energy Solution to Hire Triple-Digit New Graduates in Second Half... Battery Top 3 Companies "Can't Hire Enough"

Preparing for Samsung SDI and SK On Open Recruitment
Experienced Professionals Hired Regularly
Meeting Master's and PhD Candidates from Domestic Universities
Promoting the Company... Securing Talent in Europe

The hiring doors at large corporations are narrowing due to the economic downturn. However, there are exceptions?battery companies. The Battery Industry Association estimates that by 2030, an additional 25,400 specialized professionals will be needed in the battery industry. Industry insiders say the rapidly expanding demand for manpower is outpacing supply. Park Tae-sung, Vice Chairman of the Battery Industry Association, recently stated at a press briefing, “The battery industry is facing a severe labor shortage,” adding, “Resolving the manpower supply-demand mismatch is urgent.” He explained that there is a shortage of personnel needed for next-generation battery development and other areas.

LG Energy Solution announced its recruitment for new graduates for the second half of this year on the 25th and has begun the hiring process. A representative from LG Energy Solution said, “Applications will be accepted on the LG Group recruitment site until the 9th of next month,” adding, “We plan to hire in the triple digits.” Samsung SDI and SK On are also preparing for their second-half new graduate recruitment. Both companies hired triple-digit numbers of new graduates in the first half of this year and are expected to hire a similar number in the second half.

In addition to new graduates, experienced professionals are recruited on an ongoing basis. As of the 27th, there are currently 8 open experienced hire positions at LG Energy Solution, 7 at Samsung SDI, and 17 at SK On.

Unlike the battery industry, other major domestic companies are expected to reduce their hiring scale in the second half of the year. On the 23rd, the employment information site Incruit reported, “Among 727 domestic companies (104 large corporations, 147 mid-sized companies, and 476 small and medium enterprises), 315 companies that finalized their hiring plans for the second half of this year showed that companies which hired triple-digit numbers last year have reduced their scale to double digits,” adding, “No large corporation plans to hire in the triple digits.” In other words, LG Energy Solution is the first large corporation this year to hire triple-digit numbers of employees.

An industry insider from a battery company said, “As the global battery market grows rapidly and competition among companies intensifies, recruiting top talent is becoming increasingly important,” adding, “Securing manpower is an essential task for battery companies.” At the ‘Super-gap Technology Securing Forum’ hosted by the National Academy of Engineering in May, manpower shortages were also cited as an obstacle to the development of the domestic battery industry. Samsung SDI, a presenter at the forum, stated, “There is a shortage of interdisciplinary technology and specialized R&D personnel in materials, chemistry, chemical engineering, electrical and electronics, and mechanical fields,” emphasizing the need for measures to secure manpower. Another battery industry insider said, “China’s CATL has about 12,000 battery R&D personnel, while the combined total of the three domestic battery companies is 6,500,” adding, “Although it is difficult to simply compare numbers with China, it is true that there is a shortage of specialized domestic personnel.”

In response, battery companies are making various efforts to secure more manpower through industry-academic cooperation with major universities. Presidents and executives also meet with job seekers to promote their companies. On the 18th, Samsung SDI President Choi Yoon-ho and executives attended the ‘2023 Tech & Career Forum’ to directly showcase the company’s technological capabilities. President Choi said in front of about 200 master’s and doctoral students from domestic universities, “What makes the goal of becoming a ‘2030 global top-tier company’ possible is talent,” urging, “We want you to be the protagonists and create the future together.” Next month, they plan to secure manpower in Europe for the first time, and in October, they will continue their efforts to discover top talent in the United States, as they did last year. LG Energy Solution also held the global talent recruitment event ‘BTC (Battery Tech Conference)’ in April this year, with key executives including the Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Chief Human Resources Officer (CHO), Chief Data Officer (CDO), and Development Center Director all traveling to the U.S.

The Battery Association plans to launch the comprehensive control tower for battery workforce development, the ‘Korea Battery Academy,’ within this year to resolve the manpower supply-demand mismatch in the industry. After pilot training, regular training will begin in the second quarter of next year. Vice Chairman Park said, “The mission of the Battery Academy is not just short-term training that ends quickly, but to practically train prospective personnel through on-site practical training so that they can fully adapt to companies.” He added, “Unlike contract departments operated under hiring conditions with specific universities and companies, the academy, which many job seekers can participate in, will help resolve the mismatch in the supply of college-educated manpower.”