Two tribal colleges are in line for $2.3 million in federal funding to train workers for energy and infrastructure jobs, the U.S. Department of Energy announced.
The projects, which were selected for funding negotiations with DOE, are part of nearly $11.1 million proposed for eight partnerships through DOE’s Partnerships for Academic-Industry Career Training, or PACT, initiative.
According to the department’s news release, the selected projects will establish or expand hands-on training and industry-recognized credentialing programs designed to meet regional workforce needs in the oil, natural gas, coal and geothermal energy sectors.
The initiative is managed by TechWerx, an intermediary partner working with DOE through an agreement established with the agency’s Office of Technology Commercialization.
Leech Lake Tribal College in Cass Lake, Minn., was selected for $2 million to develop a geospatial technologies certificate program focused on geographic information systems (GIS), infrastructure monitoring, geospatial technologies and cybersecurity. The project also incorporates geothermal energy instruction into the college’s existing carpentry program and is intended to prepare students for careers supporting tribal energy and infrastructure needs, according to DOE.
Navajo Technical University in Crownpoint, N.M., was selected for $299,934 to establish nondestructive testing training and ultrasonic testing laboratory capacity in partnership with Arizona State University. The program will prepare students for inspection, quality assurance and asset integrity careers supporting oil and gas operations, utilities, manufacturing and other critical energy infrastructure.
In announcing the selections, the DOE Office of Indian Energy said the funding is intended to help strengthen the tribal energy workforce and by tribal self-determination.
Eric Mahroum, director of DOE’s Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs, said tribal colleges and universities help prepare workers for energy jobs in tribal communities.
