Heinrich Welcomes DOE Selection of NMSU as Inaugural Building Training and Assessment Center to Expand Clean Energy Workforce
New Mexico State University will receive $900,000 made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to expand training opportunities for in-demand, high-quality jobs
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and founder and co-chair of the Electrification Caucus, is welcoming the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) selection of New Mexico State University (NMSU) as one of 10 institutions nationwide to receive an inaugural grant of $900,000 to establish a Building Training and Assessment Center (BTAC). As a recipient of this grant, 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.
“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 Heinrich. “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.”
“We’re delighted that New Mexico State University can be part of this important initiative to invest in America’s future workforce,” said Interim NMSU 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.”
With this investment, NMSU will conduct energy assessments for New Mexico businesses while offering a range of energy efficiency training pathways, from registered apprenticeships to micro-credential opportunities. 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.
In addition to NMSU, DOE selected the following institutions to receive this inaugural grant:
- Fayetteville State University (Fayetteville, North Carolina)
- Michigan State University (East Lansing, Michigan)
- Syracuse University (Syracuse, New York)
- Texas Tech University (Lubbock, Texas)
- University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa, Alabama)
- University of Louisiana – Lafayette (Lafayette, Louisiana)
- University of Miami (Coral Gables, Florida)
- University of Washington (Seattle, Washington)
- University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)
In conjunction with National Apprenticeship Week, DOE announced the selection of the inaugural cohort of 10 Building Training and Assessment Centers (BTAC) and 17 new Industrial Assessment Centers (IAC). DOE’s Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (MESC) manages the IAC Program, and the Office of State and Community Energy Programs (SCEP) manages the BTAC Program. Learn more about each of the selectees here.
