Last week, the Department of Energy announced nearly $3 million in grants to fund nonprofit educational organizations that promote awareness and interest in clean energy careers.
The initiative is aimed at developing a diverse clean energy workforce, the DOE said in a release, and aims to develop a diverse clean energy workforce, raising awareness among “K-12 students, college students, alumni and academic professionals, military veterans, and the formerly incarcerated.” It said it would fund programs it promotes.
A DOE request for information seeking public input on the program last November said the program would “leverage organizations that are uniquely qualified to reach underrepresented communities to help U.S. This is part of the department’s efforts to “meet the needs of a diverse energy workforce.”
To be eligible for funding, programs must offer services such as career coaching, work-based learning opportunities with industry partners, or contributing to curriculum development. The DOE hopes to target “a wide range of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics groups.”
Eligible work-based learning opportunities include both internships and practicums, as well as “other work-based experience,” the DOE said.
“In Phase 1 of the program, up to 10 organizations will each be awarded approximately $300,000,” the DOE said. “Phase 1 winners will be eligible to receive Phase 2 awards based on their initiative performance. The top 3-5 teams will split an additional $750,000 in prize pools as the culmination of Phase 2.”
The DOE said it will accept applications for new or expanded workforce development programs in areas including “renewable energy, building energy efficiency, energy storage, advanced materials and manufacturing, electric vehicles, and more.” The Phase 1 submission deadline is December 13th.
The lack of skilled labor is an increasing concern for the clean energy industry, which is experiencing rapid growth and unprecedented investment following the passage of anti-inflation laws. SEIA said last year that to meet the Solar Energy Industries Association’s goal of generating 30% of U.S. electricity from solar power by 2030, the solar industry alone will need to mobilize more than 1 million workers. It is estimated that there is.
President Joe Biden announced last September that he would use executive action to address the labor shortage and expand the workforce to “mobilize more than 20,000 new generations of diverse Americans into conservation and clean energy jobs.” Founded the American Climate Corps, a training and service mission.
