NNSA to award $2.17 million for new apprenticeship programs

July 20, 2023

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) has awarded two organizations five-year grants totaling $2.17 million, to develop and strengthen apprenticeship training programs aligned with NNSA’s needs for traditional and emerging technician positions throughout its laboratories, plants, and sites. The selections were made after review of grant applications submitted in response to the funding opportunity announcement.

These awards are granted under the new DOE National Laboratory Jobs ACCESS – Apprenticeships for Complete and Committed Employment for Specialized Skills – Program. ACCESS is an NNSA-sponsored program that supports apprenticeships designed to bring specialized skills vital to the Nuclear Security Enterprise (NSE). The program focuses on skills development in the technician and skilled craft trades to meet ongoing and emerging needs at the national laboratories, plants, and sites.

“Across the NSE, we see a need for a greater number of skilled trade workers. Training in these areas is increasingly limited; therefore, the ACCESS program is working to develop training programs to fill the gaps,” said Dr. Kevin Greenaugh, Chief Science and Technology Officer, Office of Defense Programs.

Hardinge, Inc., Elmira, NY, will receive $978,053, for the project Level Up @ Hardinge, which will recruit and train apprentices in advanced manufacturing for the workforces at Los Alamos National Laboratory, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Kansas City National Security Campus, and Y-12 National Security Site.

Association of Journeyman and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Local 412, Albuquerque, NM, will receive $1,194,460, for the project New Mexico National Labs Apprenticeship Partnership. The New Mexico National Labs Apprenticeship Partnership will train HVAC/R technicians for Sandia National Laboratories and pipefitters for Los Alamos National Laboratory.