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The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (MESC) and Office of Energy Justice and Equity (EJE) today announced their intent to launch a $24 million opportunity through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to establish new Industrial Assessment Centers (IACs) across the United States. These centers will build on the recent IAC network expansion and will serve two purposes:
- training students and incumbent workers for high-quality careers in clean energy, energy efficiency, and advanced manufacturing that do not require a four-year degree, and
- helping small and midsized manufacturers (SMMs) save money, reduce energy waste, and improve productivity.
DOE will fund a wide range of workforce training institutions, from community and technical colleges and trade schools to union training programs (including labor-management training programs), apprenticeships, and related internships. These new IACs will comprise new training programs as well as expanded and enhanced existing programs, all of which will work with employer partners to provide hands-on learning for participants alongside technical assistance to strengthen SMMs’ operations.
It is anticipated that applicants will apply to one of three tracks:
- one-year initial planning and capacity building awards,
- three-year execution and scale awards, and
- three-year consortia and cohort awards (e.g., for facilitated groups of colleges, state systems, multi-local union projects, apprenticeship intermediaries and their IAC-eligible partners, etc.).
DOE anticipates that this solicitation will be the first in a small series of annual solicitations, such that Track 1 recipients can apply for Track 2 or 3 awards in future cycles.
The anticipated awards can support a wide range of training programs, from certifications and micro-credentials to Registered Apprenticeships. Funded projects will incorporate workforce development best practices like employer partnerships, dual enrollment in high school and community college, work-based learning, stackable and industry-recognized credentials, and comprehensive career advising. These anticipated awards may be used for a range of eligible costs, including curriculum development, instructor recruitment and professional development, student wages to support their provision of hands-on technical assistance at SMMs, supports to help students succeed, and equipment.
In all cases, anticipated funded projects will need to incorporate efforts to provide technical assistance to help SMMs increase their energy efficiency, reduce emissions, or improve productivity. DOE encourages potential applicants to explore partnerships with existing and newly selected IACs and IAC Centers of Excellence, along with community-based organizations, industry groups, and others who can help maximize the projects’ community benefits.
Over more than four decades, the IAC Program has provided more than 21,000 energy assessments at SMMs, which comprise over 90% of the nation’s manufacturing entities. IACs typically identify more than $150,000 in potential annual savings opportunities for every manufacturer assessed. Today, DOE-supported IACs exist or are being created at more than 50 universities, community colleges, trade schools, and union training programs in 33 states across the country.
This information is made available to make the public aware of DOE’s intent to launch an opportunity in late Winter to early Spring 2024. This information is subject to change.
Additional Information:
- Learn more about the IAC Program
- Subscribe to the DOE’s Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (MESC) newsletter and the Office of Energy Justice and Equity’s updates
DISCLAIMER: This message is for informational purposes only. The Department of Energy is not currently accepting applications. Any information contained in this notice is subject to change.
Learn more about DOE’s Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (MESC) mission to strengthen and secure manufacturing and energy supply chains needed to modernize the nation’s energy infrastructure and support a clean and equitable energy transition.
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