NC A&T receives $23.7M federal grant for clean energy workforce training

The federal government is awarding North Carolina A&T State University $23.7 million to develop a clean energy workforce training program. 

The grant was announced Wednesday by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. The funding will be used by NC A&T to create STEPS4GROWTH, a clean energy workforce training program with a focus on equity.

According to a news release, the program will utilize mobile training units in 16 North Carolina counties, essentially removing barriers to access and meeting workers where they live.

Congresswoman Kathy Manning, a Democrat who represents the Triad's 6th District, supported the school's grant application to the Department of Commerce. She says the demand for skilled workers is rising in North Carolina and praises NC A&T for its commitment to clean energy development.

"They are the perfect partner to be working with a whole variety of stakeholders to make sure that we have the best possible programs to train a diverse workforce to take these great new jobs that are coming to North Carolina," says Manning.

The funding is part of an American Rescue Plan program awarding grants to 32 worker-centered, industry-led partnerships across the country.