Nevada Tech Hub is deepening its investment in the workforce behind the state’s fast-growing lithium battery and critical materials economy, awarding $3.9 million to strengthen construction trade apprenticeships and worker support services across Northern Nevada.
The funding will support expanded training capacity, recruitment efforts and essential assistance for apprentices through partnerships with the Northern Nevada Building & Construction Trades Council Development Corporation (NNBCTC Dev. Corp.) and the Northern Nevada Member Assistance Program (MAP). The investment is designed to help meet rising demand for skilled labor as major lithium and infrastructure projects continue to move forward across the region.
NNBCTC Dev. Corp., which currently supports approximately 4,900 apprentices with a reported 98% employment rate, is expected to see continued growth as new projects come online. At Lithium Americas’ Thacker Pass project alone, there are currently 518 union members on site, including 58 apprentices. To help scale up training and workforce readiness, Nevada Tech Hub awarded $1,512,500 to expand the organization’s program capacity for electricians, plumbers, sheet metal workers and other construction trades.
The funding will also support marketing and outreach efforts aimed at improving recruitment and retention, with a long-term goal of placing at least 100 new apprentices each year over the next five years. These efforts are intended to build a reliable pipeline of skilled workers capable of supporting Nevada’s advanced energy and infrastructure needs.
“As the lithium and critical materials economy continues to grow, this partnership with Nevada Tech Hub allows us to create a positive impact today while also ensuring there is long-term workforce availability down the road,” Rob Benner, secretary treasurer for NNBCTC Dev. Corp, said. “This funding allows us to substantially expand our reach and strengthen existing partnerships across the lithium loop ecosystem.”
In addition to expanding training capacity, Nevada Tech Hub awarded $2,424,400 to Northern Nevada MAP to bolster critical support services for apprentices and their families. The funding is aimed at removing barriers that can prevent workers from completing training programs, including access to boots, tools, transportation, food assistance and help with utility costs.
MAP will also use the funding to expand staffing focused on workforce and basic needs support, including leadership development, food pantry management and case management services. These services address challenges such as mental health, childcare and family stability, helping apprentices remain on track and succeed both on and off the jobsite.
Founded in 1978, NNBCTC Dev. Corp. focuses on training and advancing the construction workforce in Northern Nevada while partnering with contractors, community organizations and local leaders to support economic development. Northern Nevada MAP, established in 2022, works to improve quality of life for workers and their families by connecting members of organized labor with essential services and resources.
The investment is part of Nevada Tech Hub’s broader mission to advance the state’s lithium battery and electric vehicle materials economy through workforce development and supply chain innovation. Designated by the U.S. Economic Development Administration as one of 31 Tech Hubs nationwide, Nevada Tech Hub received $21 million to support workforce-focused initiatives. In 2025 alone, the organization has distributed more than $15.5 million across 17 projects tied to lithium battery development, critical minerals and domestic supply chain growth.
Together, the latest awards underscore Nevada’s strategy of pairing large-scale industrial investment with long-term workforce development, ensuring that local workers are prepared to meet the demands of the state’s evolving energy and construction landscape.
Originally reported by Amy Demuth in Nevada Today.
