John Smegal Workforce Development Lead Advanced Manufacturing Office US Department of Energy
FOCUS ON THE
WorkForce T
he Energy Department’s Industrial Assessment Centers (IAC) program is a workforce development initiative aimed at creating the next generation of energy engi- neers. IAC graduates possess a unique mixture of engineering and energy management expertise, combined with hands- on experience obtained by working directly with small- and medium-size manufacturing facilities across the country. The federal government has been supporting the IAC pro- gram—formerly known as the Energy Analysis and Diagnostic Centers—since 1976. Although initially housed within the US Department of Commerce, the program was transferred to the US Department of Energy in 1980.
IACs provide extensive training for both undergraduate and graduate engineering students in industrial processes, energy assessment procedures, and energy management principles. As part of their training, IAC students conduct energy assessments of small- and medium-size manufacturers to identify opportuni- ties to improve productivity, reduce waste, and save energy.
IAC Students and Alumni Each year, 250 to 450 engineering students within the IAC program gain valuable knowledge evaluating the ef-
Training Tomorrow’s Energy Engineers
leadership experience to receive IAC program certificates. Since 2010, more than 100 IAC students per year received these impressive portable credentials.
Since its inception, thousands of engineering students have participated in the IAC program, representing over 50 colleges and universities across the US. More than 60% of IAC graduates pursue careers related to energy or energy efficiency. These graduates are well known for their expertise in industrial energy efficiency, and are in high-demand in the energy-related job market.
Eligibility for Assessments
Manufacturers may be eligible to receive an IAC assess- ment if they meet the following criteria: • They operate within Standard Industrial Codes (SIC) 20–39; • They are less than 150 miles from a participating IAC; • They have gross annual sales below $100 million; • They employ fewer than 500 individuals at the plant site; • They have annual energy bills more than $100,000 and less than $2.5 million; and
• They do not have professional in-house staff capable of per- forming an independent energy performance assessment.
Beginning in 2013, the US Department of Energy announced a five-year collaboration between the IACs and SME. The objectives of this collaboration are to enhance the training experience of both IAC and SME students.
ficiency of key industrial operations, systems, and processes. IAC students graduate with the skills and abilities to conduct energy, waste, and productivity assessments, use instrumen- tation and diagnostic equipment, work safely in an industrial environment, and communicate successfully through written reports and presentations to clients. Some of these students demonstrate sufficient assessment expertise and assume
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In some circumstances, these criteria may be relaxed at the discretion of the IAC Field Manager and the Energy Department.
Location of IACs
IACs are located at engineering programs accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) at universities within the US. IAC status is awarded through a
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