Applied Industrial Technologies

Geothermal Plant Operator Program Scholarship

Truckee Meadows Community College is pleased to announce it is the recipient of a $262,000 grant from Nevadaworks, "a regional agency focused on preparing northern Nevada's workforce to meet the needs of current and potential northern Nevada employers." The grant funds will be used to provide 20 scholarships for low-income students who are striving to gain employment in the new and exciting field of geothermal power. The scholarships will provide tuition, fees, and the costs of books for the fall 2012 and spring 2013 semester. In addition, students will receive tools such as safety equipment, graphing calculators, and the use of a state-of-the-art laptop while enrolled in the program. Students in the scholarship program will also receive internships with geothermal companies, and assistance with employment upon graduation.

As part of this grant, TMCC has committed to providing placement services for graduates of the scholarship program for one year from the date of graduation. This financial support will help alleviate the financial burden for students who are struggling to overcome economic hardship caused by the recent downturn. Please note that as part of the scholarship application process, students are required to obtain and submit the results of a background check, and will not be reimbursed for this cost.

Zip File Geothermal Plant Operator Program Scholarship Packet

About

TMCC's Geothermal Plant Operator Training Program

TMCC has developed a new Geothermal Plant Operator training program—the first of its kind in the United States, and only the second globally. The program, a 34-credit, Certificate of Achievement, was designed with guidance from a Geothermal Power Advisory Board consisting of members from many of the geothermal power companies located in Reno, Nevada. The curricula were developed with the assistance of subject matter experts and an instructional systems designer to ensure a comprehensive, high-quality program. The first cohort of students in the GPO program began studies in the fall 2012, and the first graduates are expected in spring 2013.

Mission of Nevadaworks

In 1998, the Workforce Investment Act was established. The intent of the law is to provide workforce training services to job seekers thus increasing their employment potential, job retention, and earnings while at the same time meeting the employer's demands for a skilled workforce. The Workforce Investment Act established Local Workforce Investment Boards throughout the country. Nevada has two local boards: Nevadaworks in the north, serving thirteen northern counties—Carson City, Churchill, Douglas, Elko, Eureka, Humboldt, Lander, Lyon, Mineral, Pershing, Storey, Washoe, and White Pine; and, Workforce Connections in the south—serving Clark, Esmeralda, Lincoln and Nye counties.

For additional information, please contact us.