“We are very excited, and we also talked as a team and said this is the time when we really want to go out there and again talk about the progress we’re making. So we are excited to create more jobs for St. Thomas and the region.”And that is precisely what transpired on Wednesday morning as Norman Wickboldt, Chief Human Resources Officer at PowerCo Canada, launched a hiring campaign with high-quality, well-paying jobs available at what will become the largest EV battery plant in Canada.
PowerCo, a Volkswagen subsidiary, has already hired about 200 employees working out of their Talbot Street office in the downtown core, and the plan is to open a second office at the Yarmouth Yards industrial park.
And now, about 50 new high-quality, well-paying jobs have been posted on the PowerCo website.
Examples of positions now open are a construction engineer, manufacturing data analyst, equipment planner and senior supplier manager.
“So those are some examples,” noted Wickboldt. “We have technical roles, as you said, with some chemistry or engineering background. And then we also have other functions that support the business, because obviously, we also need procurement expertise.
“We need also HR and IT specialists, and finance roles. So, yeah, there is a portfolio of jobs. We are also starting to hire, as we speak, our first frontline workers. So we will also hire our first frontline workers this year and then obviously ramp up that number in the year to come.”
The first rollout of jobs is immediate openings, stressed Wickboldt.
“Whenever the candidates can start, they can start. So there is work to be done here for the project, for sure.
“So obviously, we need temporary office space at the site. And this is what we are planning and executing as we speak. So to be ready in autumn.”
The start of construction of the massive facility, which, in April of 2023, then Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced would be located in St. Thomas, is just weeks away, stressed Wickboldt.
“So obviously we are excited to start that groundbreaking, as we call it. And the current timing is that we hope to do the groundbreaking in the weeks to come. So we really have some work to do still this year on the actual construction.
“And so the first things that would happen are the foundation and then steel construction.
“We want to start our production in 2027, and we remain fully committed. We are on time.”Battery production will be ramped up over time.
“You actually want to make sure your processes are stable and you get your production line to full capacity during the months to come.”
Will the uncertainty of markets at this time, due to President Trump’s floating trade tariffs, impact where those EV batteries are destined?
“It would definitely make sense for us to focus on the North American market, but we would also be able to supply any other markets in the world for sure.”
“We are closely monitoring that topic. At the same time, as you know, we are a long-term project. So we go much beyond any legislation, and therefore if you look at our timing and our start of production, we will also look at the markets that are relevant at the time within the Volkswagen Group.”
PowerCo has locations in Spain and Germany, with the St. Thomas operation being the first in North America.
“It would definitely make sense for us to focus on the North American market, but we would also be able to supply any other markets in the world for sure.”
The initial plan was to produce lithium-ion batteries; however, the technology is quickly evolving, and that may present a different picture two years from now.
“The whole battery industry is a very dynamic industry and a very innovative industry, which is why we’re so proud that we can establish this industry here in St. Thomas for Canada.
“And again, we are closely monitoring those trade negotiations and their potential impacts, but at the end, we know what we know, and we want to create jobs here for generations to come.”
“As a PowerCo group, we have our own research and development team that is currently testing future chemistries and future generations of battery cells. So we remain confident that our product is very innovative, that our product will be very competitive also in the next decades.”
He took great pains to stress that PowerCo’s decision to base its operation out of St. Thomas is a long-term commitment to the city.
“We are committed, and we really want to be the future for St. Thomas. We are very well aware of our responsibility that we have and I think the good thing is that the Volkswagen Group itself has early on invested in EV mobility, so we are very much convinced that this is the future technology and hence this is the right investment here.
“And again, we are closely monitoring those trade negotiations and their potential impacts, but at the end, we know what we know, and we want to create jobs here for generations to come.
“It’s not that this is something that we are looking at from a short-term perspective. It’s a long-term project, and we have our mitigations to make sure that we can also scale as the demand needs it, but we are definitely going to build this factory here for the region.”
With plenty of room to spare at Yarmouth Yards, is the hope to also house suppliers close by?
“There will be suppliers that would benefit from being close to us. And this whole, let’s say, portfolio of suppliers, they will establish themselves around us, and we would definitely also benefit from such relationships.
“So I’m sure there will be additional jobs also created for those suppliers, so indirect jobs by suppliers. So if I talk about our jobs and our creation of jobs, it’s in the name of PowerCo, but there will be hundreds of jobs also created for suppliers, and it definitely would make sense that they are as close to us as possible.”
TIME TO GET DOWN TO BUSINESS
At the MP/MPP luncheon last month hosted by the St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce, MP Andrew Lawton spoke of his plan to host a series of business advisory roundtables.
The goal of the discussions, according to Lawton, is “for tangible solution-oriented sessions that I can bring to Ottawa and put forward either in standalone legislation or put forward when we are navigating through and working on existing legislation from the government.”
“But it’s really going to be solution-oriented and listening to the businesses in St. Thomas and the community as a whole.”
We sat down with Lawton yesterday (Aug. 8) to gain further insight into these roundtables.
“We will be sending out invitations next week,” advised Lawton. “The goal of the MP Business Advisory Roundtables is to get feedback from businesses on some of the challenges they’re facing, whether it is on taxes and regulations or dealing with crime, which is especially an issue for downtown businesses.
“But a lot of it is really oriented around solutions. I want to make sure that we can get the suggestions and feedback that businesses that are out in the community doing the work have, so that when I go back to Ottawa in September, I’ve got some tangible ideas that I can put forward in government legislation that in the committee stage, for example, are able to be amended or potentially in fresh legislation from the opposition.
“But it’s really going to be solution-oriented and listening to the businesses in St. Thomas and the community as a whole.”
“When I’ve talked to businesses, they aren’t asking for handouts. They aren’t saying we need the government to give us money. They’re saying we need the government to stop costing us money.”
As envisioned, Lawton plans on a series of three or so sessions, with the first being very general in scope and focusing on small businesses.
“And from there, I think when we learn about some sector-specific challenges, we’ll be able to branch out and have some more. For example, an agriculture business is going to experience specific challenges that aren’t relevant to a restaurant. They’re all relevant as policy, but I want to make sure that the discussions are focused on broad solutions first.
“I think during the campaign and in the months since, I’ve heard a lot of the general issues of, oh, we have too many regulations, there’s too much red tape, we have difficulties.
“One that we get into the office a lot is issues dealing with CRA (the Canada Revenue Agency). And some of those are bureaucratic frustrations, but okay, well, what would the policy solution be to businesses that aren’t able to get an answer within a reasonable time?
“From a policy perspective, I really want to make sure that we’re rooted in solutions.”
Lawton continued, “When I’ve talked to businesses, they aren’t asking for handouts. They aren’t saying we need the government to give us money. They’re saying we need the government to stop costing us money.
“And again, there is no expiration date on a good idea. However it comes my way, whether it’s on a round table or in my inbox, I’m happy to take it.”
“You know, one big thing that small businesses are all saying is that they spend more and more of their time dealing with administration and red tape. And that’s something that an owner has to deal with personally, especially if you’re a small shop.
“So that’s a big problem. If you’re finding that you have to spend a quarter of your time, half your time dealing with paperwork and not doing what you set out in business to do.”
He acknowledged the importance of hearing from as many sectors as possible.
“If you’re a downtown business owner, you’re going to face different challenges than a home-based daycare. And both are still valuable businesses. Both are contributing to the economy. And I want to make sure that both are getting an equal hearing in what they’re facing.”
Wrapping up the conversation, Lawton noted, “If anyone wants to be involved with this, they can reach out to my office. This is going to be a process, as we talked about, that develops over time.
“And again, there is no expiration date on a good idea. However it comes my way, whether it’s on a round table or in my inbox, I’m happy to take it.”
IS THE INN ON THE MOVE?
At the July city council meeting, Coun. Earl Taylor provided notice of a motion dealing with alternative locations for the city’s emergency shelter, The INN.
That motion will be dealt with at Monday’s (Aug. 11) council meeting.
It requests that city staff be directed to investigate potential sites (in public or private ownership) within the city that could be presented to not-for-profit operators as alternative emergency shelter locations.
Any potential alternative emergency shelter site recommended must fit the following criteria:
- be located 200 metres from schools and daycare facilities
- be located outside the Downtown Business Improvement Area (commonly known as the DDB area)
- comply with the city’s zoning by-laws and official plan
- contain or could be converted to contain a green space setting, including a covered shelter facility with washrooms, for protection from environmental factors, along with a secure space for the storage of personal possessions
All presented alternative emergency shelter sites must further enhance and support the services provided by existing community partners, including by offering the following:
- primary care services
- mental health services
- addiction care and support
- social services and employment support
- supportive housing access
The alternative site land acquisition and construction budget will be set at $995,000 and funded from the Infrastructure Reserve.
It’s a tall order when you consider Coun. Taylor would like alternative sites for an emergency shelter to be provided to council for referral to The INN board of directors by November 1 of this year.
More to follow on this motion next week.
FOR THE CALENDAR
The myFM All Hands on Deck Food Drive is this coming Thursday (Aug. 14) from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Real Canadian Superstore in St. Thomas, Foodland in Port Stanley, and Miller’s Your Independent Grocer in Aylmer.
The St. Thomas Police Service is hosting its 2025 Back to School, School Supply Drive this coming Tuesday (Aug. 12) at the St. Thomas Walmart (1063 Talbot Street) from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The deadline is Aug. 30 to participate in the city’s public survey gathering input on the City of St. Thomas’ official flag design and symbolism to determine whether a refresh is in order. You can read more about the flag issue here. The survey can be found here.
Questions and comments may be emailed to City Scope
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And a reminder, I can be heard weekday afternoons as news anchor and reporter on 94.1 myFM in St. Thomas. As always, your comments and input are appreciated.
