Overview
MESC's Workforce Deployment team is expanding on a 4-decade legacy of Industrial Training and Assessment Centers (ITACs) to create, deploy, and scale workforce programs targeted at strengthening the U.S. Manufacturing sector, enabling the commercialization of clean energy technology.
ITACs leverage best practices in workforce development to train participants for in-demand clean energy and manufacturing jobs by providing hands-on technical assistance to small and medium-size manufacturers. Centers provide multiples on federal investment by reducing manufacturing energy costs, increasing the career trajectory of participants, enabling industrial decarbonization, and boosting the supply of qualified workers.
ITAC impacts are broadly distributed as centers are located at four-year colleges, community colleges, trade schools, and union training programs.
Programs
Industrial Training and Assessment Center Grants: BIL 40521 (b)(1)
This grant funds the creation and expansion of ITAC programs and Centers of Excellence at four-year institutions and universities, community colleges, trade schools, and union training programs. It also funds the EV Transition Playbook, which supports small and medium-sized internal combustion engine suppliers transition their business model to EV or adjacent markets. The next round of funding is anticipated in 2025. Organizations can get prepared by viewing the previous round.
Industrial Training and Assessment Center Implementation Grants: BIL 40521 (b)(3)
Implementation Grants are designed to help small- and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs) implement recommendations made in ITAC or equivalent assessments, such as Onsite Energy CHP-TAP assessments, since 2018. Organizations can also apply to become an ITAC-Equivalent Energy Assessor so that their eligible clients can apply for implementation grants. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. The next application deadline is January 10, 2025.
