NEW MEXICO – The U.S. Department of Energy has selected New Mexico State University (NMSU) as one of 10 institutions nationwide to receive an inaugural $900,000 grant to establish a Building Evaluation and Training Center.
NMSU will use this grant to expand training opportunities for high-quality, high-demand jobs in the energy efficiency sector, while identifying opportunities for organizations to save energy, improve productivity and reduce waste.
“We are 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 will also help New Mexico businesses with energy assessments.”
With this grant, NMSU will conduct energy assessments for New Mexico businesses, while offering a number 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 throughout 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 on the project. “Leveraging the enhanced virtual reality and holographic technologies of the NMSU Global Campus and a state-of-the-art training facility with our partner Trane Technologies, we will focus on creating innovative learning modules that prepare the current and future workforce in energy efficiency practices. We will also expand our efforts in working directly with the business community to provide on-site assessments and services to improve 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.
