The RAND Corporation will provide research and analysis for a multiyear, multimillion-dollar investment by Chevron in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) K-12 education and energy-sector workforce development training in the Appalachia region.
Chevron's Appalachia Partnership Initiative is a four-year, $20 million effort to address the region's workforce development needs through programs that support STEM education and identify workforce development training pathways throughout the region. The Allegheny Conference on Community Development and the Benedum Foundation are also taking part in the initiative.
The initiative was unveiled at a news conference today (Tuesday, Oct. 21) at the Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh. RAND's effort will be led by Gabriella Gonzalez.
Gonzalez and other RAND researchers will measure the progress of the Partnership's investments by:
- Providing regular reports to the public on regional economic, education, workforce, and environmental indicators related to energy. Researchers will track progress on several topics and issues important to the community related to STEM education and workforce development in the energy sector.
- Providing guidance to track the progress of each STEM education and workforce development initiative and activity that the Partnership sponsors, to ensure that those activities are meeting each of their goals—and the broader needs of our community.
— Joseph Dougherty