Energizing the future of the manufacturing workforce since 1976

 

Industrial Assessment Centers (formerly called the Energy Analysis and Diagnostic Centers) were created by the Department of Commerce in 1976 in response to the oil embargo and rising energy costs. The program was specifically focused on helping small and medium-sized manufacturing facilities cut back on unnecessary costs from inefficient energy use.

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The IAC program was moved to the Department of Energy just after it was formed in 1978 and was later expanded to include evaluations of ineffective production procedures, excess waste production, and other production-related problems. More recent additions to the IAC program scope include improving cybersecurity awareness, exploring smart manufacturing technologies, and implementing comprehensive energy management systems.

In February 2022, the Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chain Office (MESC) was founded with the ITAC program under its Workforce Deployment program area. MESC is expanding the ITAC network and has established regional hubs ("Centers of Excellence") that can assist other ITACs with deploying and adapting best practices developed across the network.