Knowledge City that delivers

Skills are essential for economic growth and business competitiveness. A battery factory needs a wide range of skills. With universities, vocational schools and vocational colleges, as well as research institutions, there is a good supply of skills at all levels. Educational institutions want to be relevant and listen to the needs of industry. This will be a good contribution to the construction and operation of a future battery factory.

Vocational education and training
Vocational certificates can be obtained throughout the region, and the subject of technology and industrial subjects can be obtained at five further education colleges within 60 km. Vocational certificates in chemistry and process can be taken at Kvadraturen upper secondary school.

Fagskolen i Agder currently has two locations in Kristiansand and Grimstad, but from 2022 they will be co-located in beautiful new premises in Grimstad. The school has a good collaboration with the business community. One example is the Eyde cluster, which has contributed to the development of courses such as Process Industry+ and the Industrial Vocational School.

University
The University of Agder (UiA) is a dynamic university that has experienced significant growth since its establishment in 2007. The university has a wide range of educational programs, research environments and co-creation arenas relevant to battery technology. There are strong academic communities working with technology, artificial intelligence, innovation, circular economy, business models and batteries. The Department of Engineering is responsible for teaching and research in the traditional engineering disciplines of building design, renewable energy and mechatronics. The university wants to contribute with relevant research and teaching related to the entire global battery value chain, including reuse and recycling.

UiA collaborates closely with industry and the public sector on the development of various disciplines. The most prominent example is the collaboration on the development of mechatronics education. The history and experience the university has gained from this collaboration will be of great importance for the development of a strong battery environment in Southern Norway. The collaboration helps to link theory and practice, and provides businesses with fresh and relevant expertise. The university has a strong focus on getting students into business practice during their studies. This helps to bring students, industry and the university closer together.

Research
With the establishment of Norce, the region's research groups in Agderforskning and Teknova became part of a larger national research environment. Norce is headquartered in Bergen, but has employees and an office in Kristiansand. Norce delivers research and innovation in energy, health, climate, environment, society and technology.

Future Materials
Future Materials is a Norwegian catapult center for the materials of the future. The center offers test facilities, expertise and networks to develop sustainable advanced materials for the products of the future. This is done in close collaboration with industry, with Elkem hosting one of the test facilities.

Mechatronics Innovation Lab
Mechatronics Innovation Lab is a leading laboratory in mechatronics, robotics and related fields. Through a broad technological and industrial network, it has access to technology and expertise, and conducts pilot testing and development of products, existing production processes, systems and services. Researchers, engineers and technologists are also made available for specific assignments as needed.

Innovation
Research and development creates fertile ground for new companies. In Kristiansand there are now several incubator companies that contribute to transforming ideas into living companies.  

• Innoventus Sør is a regional incubator with offices in Kristiansand and in Teknologiparken at UiA.
• CoWorx is an entrepreneurial community in Kristiansand; Southern Norway's version of MESH and SoSentral.
• The Sustainability Center is a newly established facilitator for businesses working on sustainable solutions. It is part of the internationally recognized Impact Hub network. 
• UiA Nyskaping, is UiA's initiative for innovation among students and staff.
• Moment Holding is an investment company that focuses on growth and start-up companies in Southern Norway.
• Skagerak Maturo is a seed fund manager and a company that invests in early-stage companies in cutting-edge technology.