[SPOKANE, Wash.] –Spokane Community College (SCC), in collaboration with partner University of Washington (UW), has been awarded a $180,000 grant by the Department of Energy to assist small businesses in reducing energy costs and educate the next generation of the clean technology workforce.
The grant for the Inland Northwest Industrial Training and Assessment Center (ITAC) and Clean Energy Expansion Project allows SCC to:
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Explore opportunities to help regional Small and Midsized Manufacturers manage increasing energy costs and keep up with statewide clean energy and energy efficiency regulations. SCC will train students for facility energy management roles like HVAC technicians and electricians, in partnership with high-quality employer partners, labor unions and others.
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Introduce the Industrial Training Assessment Center (ITAC) model to the greater Spokane community with the support of the UW Industrial Assessment Center (IAC), build partnership networks, connect the ITAC to the area’s NSF Regional Innovation Engine working to decarbonize the power grid and advance community-centric energy systems and gather input on needed training, tools, and resources to strengthen Small and Midsized Manufacturers in the region.
UW’s IAC will share its expertise with SCC as it launches a regional initiative for eastern Washington to bring energy assessments for businesses.
“There is already a lot of momentum in our region, with projects focused on developing and deploying new technologies designed to provide solutions for the energy challenges businesses in our region face.” said Jaclyn Jacot, vice president of instruction at SCC. “This fits with our mission and positions us as a strategic partner in efforts to improve efficiency and train diverse workers with the skills they need to succeed in this rapidly changing sector of the economy.”
The Phase 1 planning grant work will lay a foundation for the community to apply for Phase 2 grants, which range in duration from 36-48 months with awards ranging from $2-4 million.
There are currently 36 educational facilities in the IAC model nationwide, including UW. SCC will join the cohort and develop plans in partnership with area high-quality employer partners, labor unions, and other entities to train students for cutting-edge jobs such as facility energy management and specialized HVAC technician and energy related roles.
“This year is about relationship building, planning, convening conversations in the community now and five years in the future to support employers with IAC but also to build out short and long-term solutions,” Jacot said. “Long-term, what we’re teaching are for jobs in the future. Our kids will be doing jobs that don’t even exist today.”
For more information or to schedule an interview, contact Kayla Friedrich, Strategic Communication Manager, Community Colleges of Spokane.
ABOUT SPOKANE COMMUNITY COLLEGE (SCC)
Spokane Community College (SCC) is one of two accredited institutions of Community Colleges of Spokane and one of the largest community colleges in the state. SCC is known for leading programs in automotive, aviation, cosmetology, culinary arts, healthcare, machining and welding. SCC provides associate degrees and transfer-ready programs for student paths to a four-year college or university. The main campus is in Spokane, WA, with rural centers over a six-county service area.