Aluminum Association partners with DOE to expand workforce

The Aluminum Association, Arlington, Va., has announced a new partnership with the Department of Energy (DOE) to increase the number of aluminum industry jobs in the U.S. and explore new, sustainable technologies to advance U.S. manufacturing.

The DOE's Aluminum Industry Jobs Partnership will identify opportunities to expand plant capacity and improve workforce development systems to help bring qualified candidates to the industry. Today, the $65 billion aluminum industry directly employs about 155,000 workers in the U.S.

The partnership comprises participants from the Aluminum Association and its member companies, as well as the DOE Jobs Strategy Council (JSC) and Office of the Secretary. The JSC is a cross-cutting initiative that integrates the research, technology, and economic resources of the department to respond to the workforce and economic development needs of the energy industry and state and local governments.

The partnership has four initial goals:

1. Expand the number of aluminum industry jobs in the U.S.
2. Improve industry workforce development systems by identifying and addressing skills shortages and developing training programs.
3. Explore cross-cutting technologies to enhance U.S. manufacturing.
4. Identify opportunities for more energy-efficient manufacturing throughout the industry.