The U.S. Department of Energy will spend $5 million to fund pilot training programs for jobs in lithium battery manufacturing, the agency announced Friday. The funding can go to up to five pilot programs in “energy and automotive communities,” the agency said in a release, with the goal of developing national credentials and training programs for careers in battery manufacturing. “American leadership in the global battery supply chain will be based not only on our innovative edge, but also on our skilled workforce of engineers, designers, scientists, and production workers,” Energy Secretary J…