Enormous $7 billion 'gigafactory' coming to Ontario and it's hiring

A sprawling 'gigafactory' will soon begin construction in Ontario, and that means a huge influx of jobs for the small town set to host this record-breaking facility.

The enormous new EV battery factory, which is preparing to break ground in St. Thomas, Ont., in the coming weeks, will be the largest of its kind in Canada — and is shaping up to be a massive employment boost for the town of around 43,000.

Details of said localized employment boost emerged on Wednesday, when PowerCo, a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group, announced the launch of its first job recruitment campaign for the forthcoming manufacturing facility.

"This recruitment campaign is a pivotal step forward as we move closer to breaking ground on what will be Canada's largest EV facility once completed," said Norman Wickboldt, Chief Human Resources Officer at PowerCo Canada. 

"Electrified transportation is the future, and these jobs offer long-term opportunities for Canadians to be a part of an exciting and innovative clean energy industry."

According to a press release, the plant will bring "hundreds of well-paying jobs in this initial phase and will eventually create thousands of jobs when the plant is fully operational," with roles including chemists, Information Technology professionals, engineers, and sustainability experts.

St. Thomas Mayor Joe Preston says that the investment "isn't just an economic boost; it's a fundamental transformation for our community. We're proud to be the home for this exciting new chapter in Canada's burgeoning EV battery manufacturing sector."

Preston says that the start of the recruitment campaign "opens the door to new, high-quality jobs for residents and opportunities to build lasting careers right here in our community."

The new plant is expected to enter production in 2027 and later ramp up operations based on demand.