U.S. government spends $24 million to increase clean energy workforce training programs for manufacturers
21 projects with the goal of increasing the development of clean energy workforce training programs will receive $24 million in funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. These programs can develop within union training programs, community colleges, and trade schools. The 21 projects will also expand the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Industrial Training and Assessment Centers (ITAC) network. This network, which used to be called the Industrial Assessment Centers (IACs) network, is designed to train energy-efficiency workers to help manufacturers decrease their carbon emissions and energy costs.
What people are saying
In a recent quote, U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm said, “With over 800 manufacturing facilities coming to America since the start of the Biden-Harris Administration, there’s no question that a strong manufacturing sector – and a workforce that supports it – is vital to our nation’s economy. Our Industrial Training and Assessment Centers will provide necessary training opportunities and reduce barriers to good paying, union jobs that will boost our clean energy economy.”
DOE in the news
9 projects receive $33 million in funding to decarbonize U.S. industrial sector
Three of the projects focus on leveraging cheap heat from solar energy.
$7.3 million available for 37 small, medium manufacturers to improve energy efficiency
The funding will be used to help the manufacturers upgrade their plants to save energy and reduce climate pollution.
DOE releases cybersecurity best practices for the energy industry
The document is designed to help manufacturers and others in the energy industry create a framework to strengthen key technologies that help manage and operate energy systems.
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About the Author
Alexis GajewskiAlexis Gajewski
Senior Content Strategist
Alexis Gajewski is a manufacturing writer and editor with nearly 20 years of experience covering the people, practices, and technologies that keep industrial facilities running. For more than a decade, she served as Senior Content Strategist for Plant Services, creating content for plant managers, engineers, and maintenance professionals on a variety of industrial topics.
During her tenure, Alexis worked to develop the brand’s digital strategy and helped launch and produce Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast. She also created The Lighter Side of Manufacturing, a weekly blog that explored the inventive and sometimes humorous side of the industry.
Alexis co-founded Influential Women in Manufacturing, a recognition program that honored 49 women in its first two years, earned an industry award for Best Product Launch, and received a proclamation from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and a commendation from U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth.
She also led newsroom operations and development at a large media company where she set editorial standards, developed training curriculum, and helped support AI adoption for more than 150 editors across 80+ brands spanning manufacturing, industrial processing, automation, and more.
Additionally, Alexis works as a freelance writer and editor, and her areas of interest include continuous improvement, the skilled workforce, and the role of emerging technology on the plant floor.
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