TAACCCT Grant 2011
In September 2011 Alpena Community College was awarded a $2,835,000 three-year Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College Career Training (TAACCCT) grant from the United States Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. The project is called Sustainable Solutions for NE Michigan: Green Jobs and Clean Energy and will provide expanded and innovative training opportunities to 300 participants in five clean energy sectors across the region.
Targeted Industries:
- Marine Technology: Development of an AAS degree originating from Alpena Community College in partnership with Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), and MATE (Maritime Advanced Technical Education), the national resource center for maritime education.
- Biofuels and Energy Conservation: Development of a certificate in Lab Process Technician and Plant Maintenance Technician in partnership with American Process Inc. API has constructed a national prototype cellulosic ethanol plant in Alpena, Michigan, and plans to develop a process that can be replicated worldwide.
- Green Building Technology: Development of Energy Efficient Residential and Commercial Construction content offered nationally through a blended online-onsite AAS degree. The industry partner is the National Homebuilder’s Association. The instructor won NHA’s national trainer of the year.
- Renewable Energy: Development of a Certificate in Renewable Energy Generalist built around training technicians to install, maintain and troubleshoot wind, solar and geothermal units with coursework in smart grid technologies such as advanced metering and relay and control. Leverages the College’s highly credible 20-year track record in lineman’s and associated electrical programs and the new $5 million Electrical Power Technology Center, funded by a public-private partnership. Training offered locally.
- Online Concrete Certificates: Development of Online Concrete Certificates to serve the Cement and Building Products industry nationwide, offered through the World Center for Concrete Technology at Alpena Community College.
The TAACCCT grant secured by Alpena Community College was one of only a handful of standalone (non-consortium) projects awarded nationally. It continues productive work with the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration that spans the H-1B Technical Skills Training grant, for which the College won DOL/ETA’s national Recognition of Excellence Award in 2007, and a Community-Based Job Training Grant from 2008-2010.
TAACCCT Grant (PDF)
TAACCCT Grant Abstract (PDF)
Employer partners in the TAACCCT grant include Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, Besser Company, Alpena Power Company, American Process Inc., and the National Association of Homebuilders.