The Industrial Assessments Centers (IAC) Program will invest $72 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act. This is an example of the Biden-Harris Administration´s social and environmental commitment. This will be done through the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).
Centers of Excellence
With this investment, five regional Centers of Excellence will be established. In addition, new TSIs will be created in trade schools, community colleges, and union training programs. The investments announced by DOE will also allocate a portion to new Building Training Assessment Centers (BTACs). This investment will seek to develop workforce development that supports energy efficiency and emissions reductions in commercial and institutional buildings. The two investment projects will create a clean energy workforce representing the country’s diversity and, in turn, a domestic manufacturing base ready to lead the global transition to clean energy. Together, they will help fulfill the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to a clean energy workforce representing America’s diversity and a revitalized domestic manufacturing base poised to lead the global transition to clean energy.
Clean energy workforce
“The President’s Agenda allows DOE to expand our collaboration with education centers across the country. To train a clean energy workforce is diverse, qualified, and prepared to position America as a global leader in clean energy manufacturing,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm.
IAC program
The IAC program has trained future energy engineers by providing accessible, hands- on assessments to small and medium-sized manufacturing companies. It also recommends measures to save energy, increase productivity and optimize operations. Since its inception 40 years ago, the IAC Program has conducted more than 20,000 assessments in SMEs, representing more than 90% of the country’s manufacturing base. TSIs typically identify more than $130,000 potential annual savings opportunities per assessed manufacturer. There are currently 37 universities in 28 states around the country that have DOE-supported IACs.
National network
The IAC program has a historic expansion thanks to the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Act DOE intends the Program to serve as a national network for clean energy workforce development while maximizing productivity and reducing emissions in domestic manufacturing. Similarly, the new Building Training Assessment Center (BTAC) Program will provide workforce training to support energy efficiency improvements and emissions reductions in commercial and institutional buildings.
Regional hub
DOE announced $18.75 million to establish up to five regional Centers of Excellence among existing top-performing TSIs. Each of the selected centers will serve as a regional hub for mentoring other TSIs. Collaboration with government, non- profit, labor, and industry stakeholders to support small and medium-sized manufacturers in their respective regions will spearhead this funding opportunity.
Notice of Intent (NOI)
Through a Notice of Intent (NOI), the Department of Energy will invest $54 million to create IACs in:
- community colleges,
- trade schools,
- union training programs
and to establish BTACs. The successful applied learning environments, and hands-on training approaches of existing TSIs will be the foundation for these new TSIs and BTACs. In turn, leveraging the unique strengths, geographic reach, and faculty and student composition of trade schools, community colleges, and union training programs will provide the foundation for the new projects.
Support to the workforce
These new centers will train by providing hands-on support to the workforce of small and medium-sized manufacturing companies. Moreover, BTACs with students and apprentices will conduct critical energy efficiency assessments. And upgrades to improve the environmental performance of commercial and institutional buildings. The Justice40 Initiative, in conjunction with these centers, will serve areas that have been historically underserved and underfunded.
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