The U.S. Department of Energy has given $500,000 to the Michigan State University Industrial Training Assessment Center and University of Michigan Economic Growth Institute to launch a program assisting manufacturers within the state’s automotive sector to transition to providing EV components.

According to an MSU press release, the funds will be used to establish the Michigan Automotive Supply Chain Technical Assistance Program: a two-year initiative assisting small- and medium-sized automotive manufacturers to expand their product offerings.

The program will utilize data from the Argonne National Laboratory and private sector experts to develop a playbook that will guide companies as they expand their product lines. In particular, the program will assist companies with identifying opportunities for diversification or conversion of a product line; workforce and financial considerations; and creating a plan tailored to the company’s needs.In addition, MSU’s Composite Vehicle Research Center and U-M’s Battery Lab will be used to support the work the program is doing. U-M’s Electric Vehicle Center will also offer training to prepare the workforce for EVs.

“Thanks to this grant, these businesses will now have a vital tool that offers critical EV transition information to help them embrace the future of electrification and the evolution of the mobility sector,” said Annick Anctil, assistant director of MSU’s Instructional Technology Advisory Committee.