Nevada is commonly known for its bright lights and gambling. In fact, the gaming industry makes up close to 40% of the state’s economy. But Nevada is developing its workforce beyond slot machines and blackjack, investing in five key areas that leverage its geographic resources and local talent in urban and rural areas across the state.

“Our state leaders or forefront thinkers would come together and say, ‘We want to raise the bar for Nevadans,’” says Elaine Silverstone, Nevada’s director of workforce development. “(They’d add), ’We want there to be economic diversification. We want everyone to have opportunities in hospitality and tourism and other key sectors. So, what could we be doing?’”

Silverstone leads the Workforce Innovations for a New Nevada (WINN) program, which provides funding to support programs that help Nevadans gain the skills needed for in-demand jobs. It launched in 2015 and focused on improving the state’s workforce and boosting economic development by aligning educational programs with industry needs in sectors such as health care, manufacturing, and information technology.

In 2020, WINN revised its target sectors to include advanced manufacturing, transportation and logistics, IT, natural resources, and “creative industries” – an extension of hospitality and tourism. That last category led to an increased emphasis on sports such as football (Las Vegas Raiders), hockey (Vegas Golden Knights), basketball (Las Vegas Aces), Formula One, soccer, and others.

“The WINN program represents the state’s commitment to attracting new businesses in the target sectors of our state plan,” Silverstone says. “And that will offer high-wage jobs for Nevadans by providing workforce training programs at institutions to achieve that purpose.”

The training programs are provided by community colleges, which partner with companies in their respective fields. Programs take 12 months or less. Across the state, 17 programs are active with WINN funding.

WINN Boosts the Mining Industry

In Northern Nevada, WINN’s support is boosting the mining industry. Gold, silver, copper and lithium are plentiful in that region. That led to a new partnership with Great Basin College (GBC) campuses in Winnemucca and Elko, Nev., and NORCAT, a Canadian company that provides mining certification and training. Its new GBC – NORCAT Mine Skills Training (MST) center just opened in January.

WINN funding paid for curriculum, hardware, equipment, learning technologies, and start-up wages for facility employees.

The program offers a variety of mine skills, and health and safety programs targeted at a range of skill levels, from entry-level workers to experienced mine workers and supervisors.

Health and safety programs address topics such as working at heights, confined space, lockout, tagout, supervisory training, training the trainer, heavy equipment training, new miner training, VR/AR learning technologies, and many more.

Training Flexibility for Mining Workers

Students can train at the GBC – NORCAT MST facility to train. But trainers also will also go to client sites to deliver training at their locations and on their equipment.

The length of programming can range from a half day to multiple weeks, depending on the specific courses. Participants can earn a GBC – NORCAT MST certificate.

“GBC – NORCAT MST success means that we will be integral partners with mining companies, associations, government, and education,” says Jason Bubba, NORCAT chief operating officer. “(The partnership) will play a key role in attracting and training the next generation workforce to the industry and support those existing workers so that they can be upskilled to meet the demands of an increasingly technologically evolving workplace.

“Ultimately,” he adds, “the GBC – NORCAT MST will assist in developing a safe workplace where all will benefit from the advancement of creating a stronger safety culture through their daily safe work practices.”

The program expects to bring an estimated 1,150 jobs through employer partners at Lithium Americas, Sawtooth Mining and Nevada Gold Mines.

Support for Manufacturing and the ‘Lithium Loop’

When Tesla established a Gigafactory in the Tahoe-Reno area, advanced manufacturing became a priority. Western Nevada College (WNC) partnered with Tesla, Redwood Materials and other industry leaders to develop core training in related fields such as machine tooling, welding, and pre-engineering. Several certification program levels can be stacked together towards an associate’s degree.

Battery recycling training is following a similar trajectory. With the emergence of Nevada’s “Lithium Loop” for electric vehicles and renewable energy storage – a supply chain network of mining, processing, refining and recycling lithium – WNC is providing non-credit courses that employers can offer their workers. So far, more than 100 current workers have taken the training. A credit-based course and industry-recognized credentials to create a talent pipeline are under development.

WINN funding has enabled WNC to create and launch new programs, develop curriculum, purchase equipment and learning resources, hire and train staff, and supplement employer funding so their employees can leverage their programs to increase hiring pools and strengthen retention.

Tech Express: Western Nevada College’s Mobile Tech Lab

Tech Express, WNC’s mobile tech lab that’s used for training advanced manufacturing and electronics course and concepts, may be one of the most visible uses of WINN money. It can accommodate six to eight students at a time, using mobile training modules to provide hands-on skill practice. 

“The idea behind the Tech Express was to be able to better serve the more distance communities and employers in our service area by taking specialized equipment and training opportunities to them,” says Dana Ryan, Ph.D., WNC’s vice president of academic and student affairs.

“For students in the more rural or remote parts of our service area, it can be difficult,” she says. “The ability to travel to these areas to provide the specialized training that supports their local industries is a huge opportunity for the employers and the local population.”

Truckee Meadows Community College and College of Southern Nevada have also received WINN funding for workforce training programs in the existing priority sectors.  

Two new industries – health care and water sustainability – have been identified for support, as well, Silverstone says.

“The state is committed to supporting workforce development,” she says, “and WINN is just one tool that illustrates that commitment to providing workforce pathways that all Nevadans should have towards opportunities for high-wage career pathways.”