River Parishes Community College (RPCC) has been awarded $100,000 through the Future Use of Energy in Louisiana (FUEL) initiative as part of its inaugural Scale Fund investments. RPCC is one of 13 institutions across the state selected to receive a portion of nearly $900,000 in workforce development funding aimed at advancing Louisiana’s energy talent pipeline.
FUEL is a groundbreaking collaborative led by Louisiana State University (LSU) and supported by a $160 million award from the National Science Foundation’s Engines Program—the largest and most competitive award ever granted by the NSF—along with $67.5 million from Louisiana Economic Development (LED). The initiative brings together Louisiana’s universities, community and technical colleges, industry partners, state agencies, and capital investors to support energy-focused R&D, workforce training, commercialization of emerging technologies, and energy-sector entrepreneurship.
RPCC’s funded project will create a new electrical concentration within its Instrumentation & Electrical Technology program, enhancing the curriculum with:
- Industry-recognized certifications
- Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR) learning tools
- Dedicated energy training activities and coursework
- Professional development opportunities for faculty
“We are incredibly proud to be a part of FUEL’s mission to drive energy innovation and workforce development in Louisiana,” said Dr. Donovan Thompson, RPCC’s Dean of Energy & Advanced Technology. “This investment allows us to enrich our programs and give students direct access to cutting-edge tools and industry-relevant training that leads to meaningful careers.”
FUEL’s Scale Fund provides $100,000 to each of seven existing workforce programs in Louisiana, while its Seed Fund supports six new initiatives with $20,000 each. All funded projects focus on one or more of FUEL’s key Workforce Development focus areas: STEM Support, Teacher Engagement, Course Enhancement, and Work-Based Learning.
“This investment will help RPCC strengthen our role as a workforce leader in the energy sector and ensure that our graduates are prepared to meet the rapidly evolving needs of industry,” said Chancellor Quintin D. Taylor. “We are grateful to be part of a statewide effort that’s shaping the future of Louisiana’s energy economy.”
For more information about RPCC’s Instrumentation & Electrical Technology program or workforce training opportunities, visit www.rpcc.edu.