The DOE Allocates Funds for Training a Clean Energy Manufacturing Workforce in the Solar Industry.

Recently, Jennifer Granholm, who holds the position of Secretary for the US Department of Energy, made a statement regarding the current condition of renewable energy in the country. She reiterated how renewable energy can help reduce carbon emissions, create jobs, and perhaps even become cheaper than fossil fuels. Granholm emphasized the need for investment in renewable energy development, stating that this can lead to a more sustainable future for the US. She also stressed the importance of unity in tackling climate change, as it is a global problem that requires a collective effort. The DOE Secretary's statement reminds us of the significance of sustainable energy and the role it plays in shaping a future that benefits us all.

As a component of the Investing in America initiative by the Biden administration, five higher education institutions have been designated as Centers of Excellence for the Industrial Assessment Centers Program by the U.S. Department of Energy. These educational institutions were chosen after a competitive selection process and will be provided with a total of $18.7 million in funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Furthermore, the Department of Energy (DOE) has declared a financial opportunity of $54 million through legislation to widen the scope of the IAC Program to include community colleges, vocational schools, and apprenticeship programs. Additionally, the DOE will establish novel Building Training and Assessment Centers (BTACs) at universities to facilitate this expansion.

As a component of President Biden's "Investing in America" program, U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm explains that bolstering and broadening the workforce for top-notch manufacturing and construction efficiency positions will contribute to the success of our country's transition to clean energy. This investment is geared towards nurturing the upcoming wave of American laborers, establishing America's dominance in advanced manufacturing and environmentally-friendly building technologies on a global scale.

For over 40 years, the IAC Program has supported and benefited over 20,000 assessments in small- and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs), which make up more than 90% of the country's manufacturing industry. Manufacturers that received assessments from IACs have been able to potentially save over $130,000 annually. Currently, there are 37 DOE-supported IACs located in 28 states throughout the nation. Furthermore, 17 of these institutions participated in a pilot program to offer comparable assessments to small and medium-sized commercial buildings.

The IAC Program is getting an upgrade with the addition of Regional Centers of Excellence. These centers will act as regional sites for the program where they will partner with government, nonprofit, labor, and industry organizations to train clean energy workers while aiding small- and medium-sized manufacturers within their respective regions. Out of the five selected centers, two belong to Minority-Serving Institutions (MSI) while seven other institutions are partnering with them.

Every individual who was chosen will have specific skills that will enhance the IAC network.

Discover additional information regarding every choice on this page.