By Em Jankauski
Jim Hutter, Vector North America’s business development key account manager, got the chance to network one on one with BattChallengers during the Battery Workforce Challenge Year Two Fall Workshop’s sponsor social held Oct. 31 at the Kingsley Inn Hotel in Bloomfield Hills, Mich. — a first for Hutter. Vector North America became a supporter-level sponsor of the Battery Workforce Challenge collegiate competition earlier in September.
Let’s catch up with Hutter to see what his first impressions were of our BattChallengers in a Q&A.
Q: What impressed you most about your interactions with our BattChallengers during the Battery Workforce Challenge’s Year Two Fall Workshop?
A: “I was impressed by the students’ enthusiasm about the Battery Workforce challenge. I met so many students that were eager to learn more about the CAN (Controller Area Network) and LIN (Local Interconnect Network) protocol and how to use Vector tools to decipher CAN and LIN messages.”
Q: How do moments like this add value to the work you’re doing every day at Vector North America?
A: “It strengthens our relationships with universities by providing meaningful engagement beyond traditional requirement. Through the BattChallenge, I get to interact with faculty and students in a collaborative environment, helping me better understand their needs and capabilities. This deeper connection enables me to build more effective partnerships between Vector and academic institutions.
“It (also) gives me direct insight into emerging talent and skills in the battery sector. By observing students working on real-world challenges, I can better identify the competencies that future professionals are developing and help align these with Vector’s needs. This information is invaluable for our talent pipeline development strategy.
We're building relationships with the next generation of engineers and technologists who will drive innovation in our industry.
“(Additionally), it enhances my ability to serve as a bridge between academia and industry. The BattChallenge helps me stay current with both educational trends and industry needs, allowing me to provide more valuable feedback to our academic partners about our curriculum development and industry requirements. It provides concrete examples of Vector’s commitment to developing the next generation of battery workforce talent, strengthening our brand as an employer of choice in the (academic) space.”
Q: How do you see Vector North America’s involvement positively impacting your company?
A: “As a key player in the automotive and technology sector, Vector North America’s sponsorship of the Battery Workforce Challenge collegiate competition aligns with several strategic priorities. First, there’s a critical need to develop skilled talent in the rapidly growing electric vehicle and battery technology space. By supporting this challenge, we’re helping create a pipeline of qualified professionals who understand advanced battery systems and EV technology.
“Second, the initiative supports hands-on learning and practical innovation. This experiential education is essential for developing the problem-solving skills needed in our industry. Third, it demonstrates our commitment to sustainability and clean-energy technologies, which are central to the future of transportation.
“Finally, by engaging with students and educational institutions through this challenge, we’re building relationships with the next generation of engineers and technologists who will drive innovation in our industry.”
