CINCINNATI – The Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded a non-competitive financial assistance Cooperative Agreement to Southeast New Mexico College (SENMC) in Carlsbad for educational programs that will enhance the knowledge, skills and abilities of current Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) employees while building and training the next generation workforce for the facility.
SENMC will work closely with the DOE and WIPP to design and provide education and training programs for current and future employees who reside in the Carlsbad and adjacent communities. The training programs will help address the current worker shortage and increase interest in jobs at the WIPP while building a pipeline of well-trained and qualified workers for the future.
“The communities of Southeast New Mexico have long been the backbone of the WIPP workforce and their contributions to the success of the WIPP mission cannot be understated,” said Mark Bollinger, Carlsbad Field Office manager. “The Carlsbad Field Office is excited by this opportunity to team up with SENMC to educate and train members of our community here in Southeast New Mexico. This new cooperative agreement represents a landmark investment that will further strengthen the New Mexico economy by helping prepare students at Southeast New Mexico College for great careers for years to come.”
The total estimated value of the Cooperative Agreement is $11,724,598, with a period of performance of five years from Aug. 15, 2023, through Aug. 14, 2028.
