DOE Funds Tribal College Energy Training Programs

Two tribal colleges receive $2.3 million to boost workforce training in specialized energy sectors.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Native American

Screen-print poster illustration of a drafting table holding a geothermal heat exchange model and calipers, symbolizing tribal energy workforce development. — The U.S. Department of Energy awarded $2.3 million to Leech Lake Tribal College and Navajo Technical University to expand tribal energy workforce training programs. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Should the federal government prioritize funding specific workforce development programs at local tribal colleges?

The U.S. Department of Energy has selected Leech Lake Tribal College and Navajo Technical University for $2.3 million in workforce development funding. This investment aims to train students for specialized infrastructure and energy roles.

Why it matters

This funding supports tribal energy sovereignty by expanding educational opportunities and preparing workers for high-demand technical careers. These initiatives focus on strengthening the tribal workforce and fostering self-determination.

Leech Lake Tribal College is slated to receive $2 million for geospatial technologies, while Navajo Technical University will receive $299,934 to build nondestructive testing capacity. These grants are part of an $11.1 million PACT initiative portfolio.

The players

U.S. Department of Energy

This federal agency is responsible for advancing the energy security and technological innovation of the United States.

Leech Lake Tribal College

Located in Cass Lake, Minn., this institution provides higher education opportunities tailored to the needs of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe.

Navajo Technical University

Based in Crownpoint, N.M., this university serves as a primary institution of higher learning for the Navajo Nation.

TechWerx

This organization manages the PACT initiative under the oversight of the Department of Energy.

Arizona State University

This public research university in Tempe, Ariz., is partnering with Navajo Technical University to provide technical training support.

The details

Leech Lake Tribal College will integrate geothermal energy curriculum into its existing carpentry training. Simultaneously, Navajo Technical University plans to build its ultrasonic testing capacity through a collaboration with Arizona State University.

The Department of Energy announced these tribal college selections on October 28, 2026.

Culture Shift

This funding represents a broader movement toward tribal self-determination and the localization of energy infrastructure expertise. By decentralizing technical training, these programs challenge historical norms that required tribal students to leave their communities for specialized education.

Students at these specific colleges will gain access to specialized career tracks in geothermal and ultrasonic testing without needing to relocate. The programs directly increase the availability of high-wage infrastructure jobs for residents in these tribal communities.

The takeaway

These grants highlight the growing priority of integrating technical vocational training directly into tribal academic institutions. Targeted investment in local certification programs provides a scalable roadmap for other communities to build independent energy workforces.