U.S. Department of Energy Announces New Industrial Assessment Centers Opportunity
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) seeks to establish Industrial Assessment Centers at trade schools, community colleges, and union training programs.
How does DOE define Industrial Assessment Centers (IACs)? They’re meant to create “opportunities for more American students and workers to step into high-quality career pathways that empower workers and develop a diverse, nationally-representative workforce that is well-qualified to build and maintain the country’s energy infrastructure.” At present, DOE supports 37 IACs at four-year institutions of higher education.
With $150 million appropriated to IACs, the department intends to establish five regional Centers of Excellence at existing IACs. Of greatest interest to our partners is the establishment of IACs at community colleges, trade schools, and union training programs. This is an expansion of the role of IACs, which traditionally focused on 4-year institutions.
The funding announcement outlines strategic goals DOE hopes to see reflected in applications:
Developing and delivering hands-on training for high-quality clean energy jobs
Enhancing performance and reducing emissions
Demand-driven impact
Commitment to collaboration and coordination
Leveraging federal and other efforts and funds
Community benefits: job quality and equity
According to DOE, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is “a once-in-a-generation investment in infrastructure, designed to modernize and upgrade American infrastructure to enhance United States competitiveness, drive the creation of good-paying union jobs, tackle the climate crisis, and ensure stronger access to economic, environmental, and other benefits for disadvantaged communities.”
The Center of Excellence can provide technical assistance with your application. Get in touch.