BridgeValley Community and Technical College Awarded an Investing in America Collaborative Agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. - BridgeValley Community and Technical College, in collaboration with Blue Ridge Community and Technical College and West Virginia University, has been awarded an Investing in America collaborative agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

The DOE has selected 17 new Industrial Assessment Centers (IAC) and the inaugural cohort of 10 Building Training and Assessment Centers (BTAC) as part of this initiative. These centers are set to receive a combined $40.8 million under President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The primary goal of the collaborative agreement is to expand training opportunities for high-quality jobs while simultaneously identifying ways for organizations to save energy, enhance productivity, and reduce waste.

BridgeValley Community and Technical College, serving as the lead institution in West Virginia, will implement the West Virginia Industrial Assessment Centers at Community and Technical Colleges (WV IACs@CTCs) project. This initiative is aimed at supporting manufacturing companies and supply chain networks throughout the state of West Virginia. The project involves partnerships with Blue Ridge Community and Technical College and West Virginia University.

The IACs@CTCs project focuses on three key strategies:

1. Expanding and Enhancing Manufacturing Pathways: The project aims to develop and enhance manufacturing degree and certificate pathways at the two community and technical colleges, integrating support services and recovery services to promote equity for low-income and first-generation college students.
2. Engaging Manufacturing Employers: The colleges will collaborate with manufacturing employers to incorporate Smart and Sustainable manufacturing processes into college curricula. This includes providing technical assistance to small- and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs) to build efficient supply chains and manufacturing hubs.
3. Building Capacity for Energy Assessments: The colleges will enhance their capacity to conduct no-cost energy assessments for SMMs, helping them save energy, reduce waste, and improve productivity. This involves collaboration with West Virginia University’s IAC to provide technical assistance.

The training focus will include certifications, skillsets, advanced skillsets, associate of applied science degrees, and certificate of applied science degrees in various manufacturing fields, emphasizing sustainability and clean energy.

“This IAC funding provides a tremendous opportunity for West Virginia to strengthen its manufacturing sector, promote clean energy, and create pathways for individuals to access high-quality, in-demand jobs,” said BridgeValley President Casey Sacks.

The project also incorporates equity and justice principles to address challenges in West Virginia, including low educational attainment, generational poverty, and the opioid epidemic. It aims to provide support services and training opportunities to students in these vulnerable populations.

The IACs@CTCs project is expected to significantly impact West Virginia’s manufacturing landscape, fostering a skilled workforce ready for the clean energy economy. The collaboration between BridgeValley Community and Technical College, Blue Ridge Community and Technical College, and West Virginia University exemplifies the power of partnerships in advancing education, industry, and sustainability.