Hardinge Inc. awarded nearly 1-million-dollar grant from the National Nuclear Security Administration.

The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) has awarded Hardinge, Inc. a five-year grant totaling $978,053 to develop and strengthen apprenticeship training programs aligned with NNSA’s needs for traditional and emerging technician positions throughout its laboratories, plants, and sites. The selection was made after review of grant applications submitted in response to the funding opportunity announcement.

The award granted under the new DOE National Laboratory Jobs ACCESS – Apprenticeships for Complete and Committed Employment for Specialized Skills – Program. ACCESS is an NNSA-sponsored program that supports apprenticeships designed to bring specialized skills vital to the Nuclear Security Enterprise (NSE). The program focuses on skills development in the technician and skilled craft trades to meet ongoing and emerging needs at the national laboratories, plants, and sites.

“Across the NSE, we see a need for a greater number of skilled trade workers. Training in these areas is increasingly limited; therefore, the ACCESS program is working to develop training programs to fill the gaps,” said Dr. Kevin Greenaugh, Chief Science and Technology Officer, Office of Defense Programs.

Hardinge, Inc., Elmira, NY, will receive $978,053, for the project Level Up @ Hardinge, which will recruit and train apprentices in advanced manufacturing for the workforces at Los Alamos National Laboratory, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Kansas City National Security Campus, and Y-12 National Security Site.