Nevada Governor’s Office of Energy Funding Helps Great Basin College Hybrid Students Pursue Technical Careers While Balancing Work and Family.
Great Basin College has received $368,454 from the Nevada Governor’s Office of Energy
to
expand access to hybrid technical training that will prepare students for careers
in the state’s
critical minerals, energy and industrial sectors.
The project, “Powering Nevada’s Rural Workforce,” is designed to expand access to
high-
demand energy-supporting career pathways for adult and other learners in rural Nevada
by
preparing students for employment in energy-related trades.
Students across rural Nevada can now pursue industrial trades with a mix of online
instruction
throughout the week with hands-on labs on Fridays in Elko, Ely, and Winnemucca. These
communities are in the heart of Nevada’s critical minerals and energy production regions.
Many
adults in these rural communities seek opportunities to reskill or transition into
stable, family-
sustaining careers but face barriers including tuition costs, work and family responsibilities,
and
limited awareness of available training opportunities.
By reducing financial barriers and increasing awareness of available pathways, the
project seeks
to help rural Nevadans access training aligned with the state’s growing industrial
workforce
needs. Outreach efforts are focused in particular on adults aged 25 and older, and
other
nontraditional workers such as those seeking career transitions, veterans, displaced
workers,
and others who may not otherwise pursue postsecondary training.
“For many rural students, pursuing a technical career means finding a way to fit college
around
a job and family responsibilities. This funding helps address the cost of training,
while our
hybrid programs give students the flexibility to keep working and gain the hands-on
skills
employers need.”
The project will support approximately 46 students across five cohorts through June
30, 2028.
Supported pathways include Diesel Technology, Electrical Systems Technology, Instrumentation
Technology and Industrial Maintenance Technology in Elko, Ely and Winnemucca. Additional
hybrid cohorts in Instrumentation Technology in Elko and Winnemucca, and Diesel Technology
in Ely are planned for Spring 2027.
To learn about programs eligible for this funding, click here.
This work is supported by the Nevada Governor’s Office of Energy, and the Department
of
Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), under Award Number
DE-
EE0010085.