Application period begins for welding training programs

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) recently issued a request for proposals to develop training programs that teach high-tech welding skills applicable in the energy sector.

ARC is a partner of the National Energy Technology Laboratory’s Advanced Welding Workforce Initiative (AWWI). The AWWI prepares welders in the use of advanced alloys that produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions, supply affordable electricity using the nation’s abundant fossil energy resources, and enable electric generating stations to run more efficiently.

States, counties, and cities, as well as institutions of higher education, unions, and other organizations, are eligible to submit proposals.

In their applications, applicants must design and implement comprehensive training programs in advanced manufacturing for the energy, automotive, aerospace, aviation, and petrochemical industries; create a pipeline of qualified workers who can apply the latest high-temperature materials, manufacturing processes, and service/repair techniques; enroll at-need individuals into the program; and specify the number of individuals anticipated to be served by the proposed training.

The deadline for proposals is Nov. 13.

ARC will contribute $250,000 toward the program’s funding. The organization is a federal economic development agency that serves West Virginia and portions of 12 other states.

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office and Fossil Energy High-Performance Materials program will contribute $750,000.