Current initiatives
Building Nevada's circular lithium economy requires a skilled workforce. Nevada Tech Hub focuses on robust workforce development and strong Tribal relations through initiatives like the Native Nations Center, ensuring inclusive economic opportunity and industry growth.
Workforce development initiatives
The Nevada Tech Hub is proactively addressing the demand for highly technical jobs in the growing EV battery industry by collaborating with industry, workforce development, and higher education partners to fund and create relevant training and career pathways.
To ensure the educational opportunities align with industry needs, Nevada Tech Hub with its grant dollars from the EDA, has funded the development and expansion of related programs, internships and apprenticeships. When it comes to assistance in navigating career pathways and promoting opportunities for employment, Nevada Tech Hub is working with partners to hire necessary staff, provide outreach, offer support services and promote these opportunities to those looking for a career or career change.
- $1.8M awarded to support a new Industrial Tech Center, expand programs in Diesel, Industrial Maintenance, Electrical Systems and Instrumentation Technology and hire instructors.
Truckee Meadows Community College
- Awarded $1.8M to expand its Advanced Manufacturing program with the launch of the Skilled Machine Technician registered apprenticeship program.
- Awarded $1.8M to respond to the rapid needs of employers in the regional battery recycling industry by implementing specialized training programs to prepare workers for battery disassembly and recycling processes.
Building and Trades Labor Unions
- Awarded $723,000 to Building & Construction Trades Council of Northern Nevada and Northern Nevada Central Labor Council (NNCLC) to administer and grow apprenticeship programs, training and support services and outreach initiatives on program opportunities. Through Northern Nevada MAP, the NNCLC also provides support for an assistance program that helps apprentices cover extra costs for supplies associated with the program.
- Awarded $2.8M to address workforce development needs by interfacing with partners, employers and leaders - conducting surveys, hosting meetings and discussions as well as leading training for career path navigators. This outreach will inform the direction of workforce development education provided by career navigators throughout the state, ensuring it is current and relevant to industry needs. Funding also supports a Lead Navigator to coordinate and streamline career pathway opportunities across the lithium and EV materials industry network.
Governor’s Office of Economic Development
- Awarded $479,420 to expand programs that assist workforce development across the state.
Nevada Department of Corrections
- Awarded $415,070 to hire a program manager for support services and assist in re-entry job placement opportunities.
Office of Workforce Innovation
- Awarded $232,117 to expand programs that assist workforce development across the state.
Mining & Critical Minerals
- Metallurgists
- Industrial Hygienists
- Reliability Engineers/Technicians
- Electricians
- Geotechnical Engineers
- Deisel Mechanics
Processing & Refining
- Processing operators
- Chemical technicians
- Industrial maintenance technicians
- Lab analysts
Advanced Manufacturing Jobs
- Battery Assembly technicians
- Robotics & automation specialists
- CNC machinists & tool programmers
- Production supervisors
Supply Chain & Logistics
- Materials Planners & analysts
- Logistics coordinators
Recycling
- Battery recycling technicians
- Chemical recovery operators
- Environmental compliance officers
Research & Development
- Battery engineers
- Materials scientists
- Energy storage analysts
- Research technicians
Indigenous relations
The Nevada Native Nations Center, located in the Office of Indigenous Relations, was developed under Nevada Tech Hub to ensure collaboration and inclusion for Nevada’s Tribal communities. The Center is comprised of five components that focuses on supporting Tribal communities, culture, and pathways for success.
The Nevada Native Nations Center, located in the Office of Indigenous Relations, was developed under Nevada Tech Hub to ensure collaboration and inclusion for Nevada’s Tribal communities. The Center is comprised of five components that focuses on supporting Tribal communities, culture, and pathways for success.
- Tribal Students LEAD (Learn, Empower, Achieve, Dream) Program – a no-cost, immersive week-long program designed to help Indigenous students explore higher education opportunities and set them up for success after enrollment.
- Nevada INBRE Tribal Academy – a program assisting Native American high school and college students through the process of education and career development in science and medical fields through mentorship and guidance. The program offers career exploration, academic advising, tutoring and a focus on wellness and self-care.
- Nevada Tribal Leadership Development Program – Assists Tribal leaders in developing their leadership skills, learning responsible, efficient and effective business skills. The program offers professional training and workshops leveraging University of Nevada colleges and departments in the areas of public administration and management, public policy, economic development and planning.
- Tribal Government and Governance Workshops - To support individual Tribes and communities, workshops are developed as needed to specifically address the unique needs of each Native American and Indigenous community. These workshops include intensive instruction in code development, regulations, planning, policies and processes, infrastructure development, budgeting, governance and other topics needed for capacity building and administrative readiness.
- Tribal Consultation – Continuous consultation between Tribal governments and communities and industry sector representatives is imperative. This ongoing relationship is critical to addressing potential cultural, environmental, and social conflicts that may emerge between Tribes, public sector agencies, private sector firms, and even with non-profit community-based organizations through the development and implementation of mitigation strategies and the establishment of long-term productive partnerships.
If your Tribal Community is interested in potential workshop, please email Daphne Hooper, daphnehooper@unr.edu.
Optimizing the supply chain
The Nevada Tech Hub is working with the University of Nevada, Reno's College of Business to assess Nevada’s lithium supply chain, pinpointing gaps and identify targeted solutions to secure domestic products and materials for Nevada’s Lithium Loop.
Search the Small Business Administration Make Onshoring Great Again portal to identify domestic manufacturers and producers.
Manufacture Nevada works side-by-side with Nevada Tech Hub consortium members, connecting them to a comprehensive network of resources, experts, and solutions that help their businesses succeed and grow. Nevada businesses can achieve greater operational efficiency, reduce costs, and build a more resilient and responsive supply chain. Contact Manufacture Nevada for more information.
Nevada Tech Hub works closely and stays in constant communication with consortium members, government and other stakeholders to ensure collaboration, identify areas of opportunity and move projects forward that advance progress toward closing the Lithium Loop. To get in the loop, sign up for Nevada Tech Hub e-newsletter.