Grant partners WNC, TMCC with regional manufacturers

A $2.9 million federal grant to help an apprenticeship program consortium, which includes Carson City’s Click Bond and Storey County’s Tesla Motors, is coming to Northern Nevada.

The U.S. Labor Department American Apprenticeship Award program grant was announced jointly by Gov. Brian Sandoval, Chancellor Dan Klaich of Nevada’s university system, and Dr. Maria Sheehan of Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC) in Reno. TMCC is partnering with Western Nevada College (WNC) in Carson City in the apprenticeship partnership and consortium, which also includes seven companies in the area,

The firms are Click Bond, Inc., which makes aeronautics and other adhesion products; Tesla Motors, producer of lithium ion cells and battery packs; Panasonic, maker and supplier for Tesla’s Gigafactory; NOW Foods, which makes natural foods and personal care products; International Game Technology, gaming machine maker; House Master, which makes expansion joints; and Hamilton Co., liquid handling and storage solutions manufacturer,

“Developing a skilled workforce is a vital next step in ensuring Nevada’s continued economic growth,” the governor said. He said the grant comes at a time when many Nevadans, including returning veterans, seek an opportunity to upgrade skills and change careers.

“I commend TMCC and WNC for taking the steps necessary to prepare their students for the potentials found in the new Nevada economy,” said Sandoval.

TMCC will administer the grant in the TMCC/WNC partnership, with the funds going into developing self-paced and competency-based apprenticeship training that will be flexible and aligned with employers’ needs.

“Technical courses will be broken into content-specific modules,” according to the announcement news release, “taken in order as defined by the employer.”

“This grant is a testament to the entrepreneurial spirt and innovation of our community colleges and our public private partnerships,” said Klaich.

Along with the seven companies already on board with the consortium, additional businesses will be recruited going forward. The program here is part of a Labor Department apprenticeship initiative awarding $175 million in grants to 46 such public-private partnerships.