The Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) Board has approved nearly $2.7 million in funding to support three workforce training programs across the state. The funds come from the Workforce Innovations for a New Nevada (WINN) fund and will be used to advance training in mining, advanced manufacturing, logistics, and related fields.
Elaine Silverstone, GOED’s director of workforce development, said, “Workforce Innovations for a New Nevada is one of the most impactful tools we have to support economic diversification and workforce development in our work at GOED. All of the WINN-funded programs at educational institutions across the state are designed to serve the needs of industry seeking to make Nevada home and bring high-wage jobs with them. I’m so delighted to see the continued partnership between education and industry.”
The funding will be distributed among three educational institutions:
Great Basin College will receive $502,500 for its Mine Skills Training program, which partners with companies such as KG Mining, Nevada Gold Mines, Lithium Americas, and Orla Mining. The program focuses on mine skills and health and safety training to address 1,240 open positions in the sector.
The College of Southern Nevada has been awarded $1,571,934 for its new Westside Education & Training Center in Las Vegas. This center aims to provide entry-level workforce training as well as additional career pathways into manufacturing and construction sectors. Employer partners include Haas Automation, Penta Building Group, and Sunshine Minting. The initiative is intended to help fill 333 open jobs in these industries.
Western Nevada College will use $599,706 to establish a satellite campus at Victory Logistics District in Fernley. This campus will offer technical education programming focused on advanced and general manufacturing industries. Employer partners include Lilac Solutions, Redwood Materials, and Panasonic; the program targets filling 10 open positions.
Natalie Brown, assistant vice chancellor for workforce development and community colleges with the Nevada System of Higher Education said: “What unites all three of these proposals is a dual focus: meeting urgent workforce demands today and building long-term career mobility for tomorrow. These programs prepare individuals for high-demand technical roles in just weeks or months, providing rapid solutions for employers who cannot afford to wait.”
The Governor’s Office of Economic Development was established by the Nevada Legislature in 2011 through collaboration with the Governor’s Office. Its mission includes promoting economic growth across various sectors within the state by supporting business expansion efforts as well as encouraging entrepreneurship.