~ for immediate release

news release June 29, 2006

Contact: Heather Emmons, DRI PIO, heather.emmons@dri.edu, Reno (775) 673-7313 (w), (702) 743-3435 (c)

All DRI News Releases are available at: http://news.dri.edu/

DRI receives $148,800 to train, build energy and environmental workforce in No. Nevada

Reno, Nev. -- While Nevada is brimming over with renewable energy resources, such as geothermal and solar, it lacks the necessary workforce skilled in the renewable energy industry to adequately run existing and potential energy projects and facilities in Northern Nevada.  Senator John Ensign was instrumental in DRI receiving $148,800 through a U.S. Department of Labor grant to team with the Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC), the Workforce Investment Board, the Nevada State Office of Energy and representatives from local industry and academic programs to take the necessary steps to train workers in the energy field.  The Northern Nevada Technology Workforce Initiative will focus on renewable energy, energy efficiency and related environmental training to improve workforce readiness and provide improved skills training.  The initiative will emphasize strategies that will keep people employed and improve the quality of that employment and thus create a career ladder within renewable energy and energy efficiency for industry in Northern Nevada.

"There is an immediate need for more advanced skills training for renewable energy and energy efficiency technicians in solar, wind and biofuels jobs in the area, as well as for power plant workers working in geothermal and solar power production," said DRI's Dr. Roger Jacobson, the principal investigator for the project.  "There needs to be an energy-savvy workforce that responds to the state and federal legislative incentives for alternative energies, increasing fuel prices and local demand for energy efficient commercial improvements."

The funds will be used for industry specific research and assessment, curriculum development and enhancements, and training/externships of professional staff and faculty resulting in an industry recognized "program of training" specific to the findings of the industry assessment.   For instance, DRI will team with TMCC to review, update and possibly expand the current offerings of work experience, short courses and academic programs.  In addition, the collaborative task force will research needs and identify training shortfalls including enhanced course content, new courses needed and related improvements based on projected industry expansion in the region.  DRI faculty will work with TMCC faculty to design classes and update instructors in key areas related to training in renewable energy.  Some of the TMCC faculty will have an externship at DRI and potentially with some key companies in Northern Nevada. 

ABOUT DRI: A nonprofit, statewide division of the Nevada System of Higher Education, DRI pursues a full-time program of basic and applied environmental research on a local, national, and international scale.  More than 500 full- and part-time scientists, technicians, and support staff conduct more than 300 research projects at DRI annually.  DRI generates approximately $50 million in total revenue consisting predominately of competitively won research contracts and grants. The State of Nevada provides critical funding in support of DRI's administration, operations, and maintenance through the Nevada System of Higher education budget.  While DRI’s portion of the NSHE budget is approximately one percent, the institute leverages these funds to enhance its competitiveness.