Youngstown State University and Hon Hai Technology Group (“Foxconn”) (TWSE:2317) today announced intentions to establish a partnership to design and launch a national electric vehicle workforce training and innovation center.

The center will focus on helping the emerging electric vehicle industry build and scale a sustainable workforce around advanced manufacturing, energy storage and other integrated technology solutions, such as artificial intelligence, 5G and cybersecurity.

The parties intend for the Center to have national reach and to generate a strong economic impact on the region and beyond, YSU President Jim Tressel said.

“Now is the time to break down geographic and institutional silos to provide workforce solutions that accelerate the ability for industry, academia, government and workforce organizations to come together and more quickly deploy resources and strategies to address industry workforce needs,” Tressel said.

YSU and Foxconn will develop short and long-term strategies that includes the training and innovation facility in the area of Lordstown, where Foxconn owns a factory for electric vehicle manufacturing. YSU and Foxconn also intend to execute a formal memorandum of understanding and partnership within the next few months.

“Leveraging Foxconn’s manufacturing strengths, Foxconn will redefine contract design and manufacturing services within the automotive sector,” said Jerry Hsiao, chief product officer, Foxconn. “As our center of gravity for electric vehicle production continues to grow within Ohio, Foxconn is proud to work with academic partners like Youngstown State University to meet the highly-skilled workforce demands of the future.”

The U.S. Department of Energy earlier this year commissioned YSU to conduct a national and regional labor market assessment of the energy storage industry for electric vehicles. Jennifer Oddo, executive director of Workforce Education and Innovation at YSU, said findings strongly suggest the need for a national workforce center to accelerate the adoption of programs like registered apprenticeship, stackable industry credentials and new applied learning models that address ever-changing industry needs.

“A national hub will help break down barriers and access to educational programming, create greater awareness of opportunities, and leverage standardized best practices that can be deployed across any geographic footprint,” she said.

About YOUNGSTOWN STATE UNIVERSITY
Founded in 1908, YSU is an American research university located in Youngstown, Ohio. Currently offering more 155 undergraduate programs and over 40 graduate programs, the University matriculates nearly 12,000 students.
YSU’s Division of Workforce Education and Innovation was launched in 2020 to help address the holistic needs of industry through their innovative WERC@YSU model where workforce, education, research and commercial projects come together to build applied learning experiences for students, employers and community members seeking alternative pathways to careers and education.

About FOXCONN TECHNOLOGY GROUP
Established in 1974 in Taiwan, Hon Hai Technology Group (“Foxconn”) (2317: Taiwan) is the world’s largest electronics manufacturer. Hon Hai is also the leading technological solution provider, and it continuously leverages its expertise in software and hardware to integrate its unique manufacturing systems with emerging technologies. Hon Hai has expanded its capabilities into the development of electric vehicles, digital health, and robotics, and three key technologies – new-generation communications technology, AI, and semiconductors – which are key to driving its long-term growth strategy. In addition to maximizing value-creation for customers who include many of the world’s leading technology companies, Hon Hai is also dedicated to championing environmental sustainability in the manufacturing process and serving as a best-practices model for global enterprises. www.honhai.com.