NETL’s Regional Workforce Initiative (RWFI) continued to forge effective partnerships to increase economic impact, workforce development and technology leadership in the 3D printing and defense/energy industries as it hosted a webinar Feb. 16 with the Regional Advanced Manufacturing and Energy Innovation Group (R-AME).

Strengthening, supporting and promoting a regional ecosystem that encompasses advanced manufacturing, energy innovation and entrepreneurship is important in creating high-tech and high-earning jobs, as well as producing lasting economic growth for the region. NETL and the U.S. Department of Energy’s national laboratory network strive to serve as a bridge spanning the early stage of science and discovery to the final stage of commercial deployment by the private sector.

The R-AME meeting, which focused on regional efforts, collaborations and partnerships to catalyze research innovation and commercialization of advanced manufacturing and energy technology, marked the third meeting with this group.

Attendees included Neighborhood 91, the first development in the world to both condense and connect all components of the 3D printing supply chain into one powerful production ecosystem, along with the AIM Higher Consortium, a comprehensive initiative to strengthen the defense industrial ecosystem in the Southwest Pennsylvania and Northern West Virginia region. AIM Higher’s goals include accelerating defense manufacturing research and innovation efforts, fostering improvements and growth for defense supply chain companies, addressing industry needs for workforce development and training and providing access to capital for growth in the defense sector. The meeting was also attended by Catalyst Connection, a private not-for-profit organization headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that provides consulting and training services to small manufacturers in southwestern Pennsylvania, accelerating revenue growth and improving productivity.

The R-AME group works to determine how to most effectively leverage the capabilities and expertise of NETL, the federal government, and the national laboratory system to support progress in advanced manufacturing and issues surrounding entrepreneurship and innovation.

“By coordinating these quarterly meetings, we are trying to be the catalyst on large regional collaborative efforts around advanced manufacturing.” said Anthony Armaly, RWFI federal coordinator for NETL. “In practice we do this by bringing together these stakeholders with shared interest and focus to develop solutions to broad issues around maintaining a thriving and long-lasting advanced manufacturing technologies innovation and entrepreneurship regional ecosystem. Consistent, meaningful, outcome driven engagement towards that goal is an important component towards meeting that end.”

The NETL RWFI is a platform for engagement and collaboration with stakeholders who are critical for the deployment of energy and advanced manufacturing technological research investments and breakthroughs stemming from the U.S. Department of Energy and NETL. The initiative catalyzes these investments into economic development and workforce/job opportunities for the region and the nation. To date, NETL RWFI has engaged with nearly 700 regional and national individual stakeholders from 377 institutions and organizations across academic, industry, governmental, and non-governmental organizations.

NETL develops and commercializes advanced technologies that provide reliable and affordable solutions to America's energy challenges. NETL’s work supports DOE’s mission to advance the national, economic, and energy security of the United States.