Nevada Tech Hub is fueling the growth of Nevada’s lithium battery and critical materials economy by investing in the workforce that powers it. To meet rising demand for skilled trades, Nevada Tech Hub has awarded $3.9 million to expand apprenticeship programs, boost outreach, and provide vital support for workers through partnerships with the Northern Nevada Building & Construction Trades Council Development Corporation (NNBCTC) and the Northern Nevada Member Assistance Program (MAP).
NNBCTC Dev. Corp. currently supports approximately 4,900 apprentices, with 98% employed. This number is expected to rise sharply in the coming years as more projects are announced and infrastructure is needed. At Lithium Americas’ Thacker Pass project alone, there are 518 union members onsite, including 58 apprentices. To help meet this demand, Nevada Tech Hub has awarded $1,512,500 to expand NNBCTC Dev. Corp. program capacity for training electricians, plumbers, sheet metal workers, and other trades. The funding also supports marketing efforts to increase recruitment and retention. Over the next five years, this initiative aims to place at least 100 new apprentices annually, building an expansive workforce to power Nevada’s advanced energy future.
Northern Nevada MAP received $2,424,400 to strengthen critical support services for apprentices. This funding removes barriers to success by ensuring workers have access to essentials such as boots, tools, transportation, food, and utility assistance. MAP will also expand staffing for workforce support and basic needs, including leadership development, food pantry management, and case management for challenges such as mental health, childcare, and family stability. These resources help apprentices stay on track and thrive in their careers.
“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 expand our reach and strengthen existing partnerships across the lithium loop ecosystem.”
NNBCTC Dev. Corp. was established in 1978 and focuses on training, supporting, and advancing the men and women who build northern Nevada. The organization facilitates and promotes workforce training programs, provides a highly skilled workforce to local construction companies, partners with local leaders and organizations to improve northern Nevada communities, and promotes economic development in Northern Nevada. Northern Nevada MAP was founded in 2022 with the mission to improve the quality of life for workers and their families by providing access to services to meet immediate needs and empowering members of organized labor to strengthen their communities.
Nevada Tech Hub, designated by the U.S. Economic Development Administration as one of 31 Tech Hubs nationally, was awarded $21 million to advance Nevada’s lithium battery and EV materials economy, primarily through workforce development initiatives. In 2025, Nevada Tech Hub has distributed more than $15.5 million to fund 17 projects that accelerate innovation in lithium battery development, critical minerals, and the building of a domestic supply chain.
For more information on Nevada Tech Hub, visit unr.edu/tech-hub. For more information on BCTNN, visit bctnn.org. For more information on the Northern Nevada Member Assistance Program, visit nnvmap.org.
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