By Andi Anderson
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) officials visited Michigan State University (MSU) on October 27, 2026, to explore how its Industrial Training and Assessment Center (ITAC) supports Michigan businesses through energy efficiency, waste reduction, and workforce development.
Assistant Secretary of Energy Audrey Robertson joined representatives from the DOE Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation to learn about the center's work and its role in preparing students for careers in energy and manufacturing.
Funded by the DOE, MSU ITAC offers free technical assessments to eligible small and medium-sized manufacturers and commercial building operators. Faculty members and students evaluate industrial processes and energy consumption, identifying ways to lower operating expenses, increase productivity, and reduce waste.
Led by Kristen Cetin, Red Cedar Distinguished Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, the center has operated at MSU since 2021. Over five years, it has supported 150 manufacturers and trained 110 students, working alongside Michigan Technological University and Henry Ford College.
“MSU’s Industrial Training and Assessment Center demonstrates the academic excellence, spirit of collaboration and forward-thinking approach that the Department of Energy seeks to foster through its partnerships with American universities,” said Assistant Secretary of Energy Audrey Robertson.
Connecting Engineering Education With Industry
After completing facility assessments, ITAC provides businesses with recommendations that include potential improvements, estimated cost savings, and implementation expenses.
According to Cetin, manufacturers have adopted approximately 50% of the center's recommendations. Nationwide, DOE assessments identify an average of $144,000 in potential annual savings per facility.
"Our goal is to give students opportunities to work through the same challenges they will encounter in industry," Cetin said.
During the visit, students demonstrated infrared thermal imaging and blower-door testing, two techniques used to identify insulation problems, air leakage, and opportunities to improve building efficiency.
Preparing Students for Energy Careers
ITAC also provides practical experience in data analysis, industrial assessments, and client communication.
"Collecting data is an important part of the assessment process, but students also have to understand what those measurements mean," said Annick Anctil, ITAC assistant director.
Doctoral candidate Aanchal Gupta said working with manufacturers has strengthened her technical and communication abilities. "We see things, and it clicks," Gupta said, explaining how facility visits connect classroom learning with real industrial challenges.
Environmental engineering student Casey Maxwell also highlighted the value of practical training. "The hands-on portion is really nice because I can see what I'm learning about in class and apply that to real-world scenarios," Maxwell said.
Expanding Workforce Training
The visit also highlighted Career ITAC, an initiative connecting MSU and the Workforce Development Institute with organizations offering technical training and apprenticeship opportunities.
“We're working to bring MSU's technical expertise to the building trades,” said Walter Lodes, director of apprenticeship at the Workforce Development Institute.
Through these partnerships, MSU aims to strengthen manufacturing capabilities while preparing a skilled workforce for America's evolving energy and industrial sectors.
Photo Credit: michigan-state-university-msu
Categories: Michigan, Education, Energy, Government & Policy