The U.S. Department of Energy has chosen New Mexico State University as one of 10 institutions nationwide to receive an inaugural grant of $900,000 to establish a Building Training and Assessment Center. NMSU will help expand training opportunities for in-demand, high-quality jobs while identifying opportunities for organizations to save energy, improve productivity and reduce waste. The funding is made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
“We’re delighted that New Mexico State University can be part of this important initiative to invest in America’s future workforce,” said NMSU interim President Jay Gogue. “This program will not only train and prepare New Mexico residents for the clean energy workforce but also help New Mexico businesses with energy assessments.”
“New Mexico is ready to lead in the transition to clean energy and widespread electrification. I’m proud to welcome this major investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help NMSU establish a Building Training and Assessment Center that will provide clean energy workforce training opportunities and apprenticeships” said U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and founder and co-chair of the Electrification Caucus. “With this investment, we are preparing more New Mexicans for skilled trades careers that they can build their families around, investing in small businesses, lowering costs and tackling climate change.”
With this grant, NMSU will conduct energy assessments for New Mexico businesses while offering a range of energy efficiency training pathways, including micro-credential opportunities offered in partnership with NMSU Global. To implement this project and increase its reach, NMSU will partner with Santa Fe Community College, Tribal colleges, Tribal chapter houses, libraries, union training centers and other community partners across the states of New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma and Arizona.
“We are excited to lead this important work for New Mexico,” said Patricia Sullivan, associate dean of engineering and principal investigator for the project. “Building on enhanced virtual reality and holographic technologies under the NMSU Global Campus and a state-of-the-art training facility with our partner Trane Technologies, we will be focused on creating innovative learning modules that prepare the current and future workforce in energy-efficient practices. We will also expand our efforts in working directly with the business community to provide on-site assessments and services to enhance energy efficiency practices.”
In addition to NMSU, DOE selected Fayetteville State University, Michigan State University, Syracuse University, Texas Tech University, University of Alabama, University of Louisiana – Lafayette, University of Miami, University of Washington and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee to receive this inaugural grant.
In conjunction with National Apprenticeship Week, DOE announced the selection of the inaugural cohort of 10 Building Training and Assessment Centers and 17 new Industrial Assessment Centers. DOE’s Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains manages the IAC Program, and the Office of State and Community Energy Programs manages the BTAC Program. Learn more about each of the selectees here.