The University of Missouri (MU) has received nearly $4 million of a $6 million grant from the Missouri Division of Workforce that could help displaced workers learn the skills needed for occupations in the energy sector. The Missouri Energy Sector Partnership and Training Grant from the U.S. Department of Labor will help establish educational programs for energy occupations, including wind, solar and geothermal energy, and energy efficiency.
As part of the three-year grant, the university is collaborating with state agencies such as the Missouri Division of Workforce Development, the Missouri Energy Workforce Consortium and a network of community colleges. The MU team will evaluate industry skills that are required to install, operate and maintain green energy technologies.
Based on these findings, MU and the two-year partner schools will modify and create curricula needed for sustainable energy and energy efficiency education and training programs.
This initiative will help students develop skills and acquire knowledge for specific sustainable energy fields to help them reach their career goals, according to MU. The curriculum can be used by other schools across the country that want to create similar programs.
The national Department of Labor initiative is part of $190 million that has been distributed through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) to give workers the skills required in emerging energy efficiency and renewable energy industries. Initially, the Missouri grant will affect about 480 Missouri workers and lead to development of new programs affecting additional workers, including veterans and active-duty military personnel, incumbent workers and unemployed workers.
SOURCE: The University of Missouri
