The city of Memphis recently earned the National Civic League’s 2025 All-American City Award, one of the oldest and most prestigious national honors for local communities.
The award for Inclusive Growth and Community Innovation highlighted initiatives such as the Moore Tech Workforce Development Program, a partnership with TVA to grow the energy workforce in Memphis.
Since December 2021, TVA, Moore Tech and Bicentennial Volunteers, Inc. (BVI) have partnered on the development of a weatherization training program and greater access to technical careers.
Moore Tech and weatherization
Moore Tech is a nonprofit, independent technical trade higher education institution in Memphis, Tennessee. It has worked with the Department of Energy to become a certified training partner for programs like the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), as well as other programs featuring energy assessments and energy equipment installers.
Weatherization training also includes HVAC technical training, which can enhance building performance by maintaining consistent indoor temperature.
Partnership with BVI and TVA
TVA’s partnership with Memphis Light, Gas, and Water (MLGW) has always prioritized benefits to the community and the workforce.
“This is just one more way TVA is partnering with local communities to serve the people of the Valley region,” Carrie Fogleman, TVA Director of Energy Programs, said.
BVI, TVA’s retiree group, awarded Moore Tech an initial $300,000 grant to help establish the Weatherization Training Program. The grant covers instructor salary and curriculum materials.
TVA EnergyRight then constructed a $300,000 training house where Moore Tech students can test weatherization classroom skills on multiple structures, systems and appliances in a safe, controlled setting.
“This partnership between TVA, BVI and Moore Tech helps build a skilled workforce in Memphis to meet TVA’s energy efficiency goal to offset future demand growth,” Carrie said. “Together, we are creating a pipeline of certified local workers that can bring weatherization and energy efficient technologies to homeowners and businesses in the Tennessee Valley.
“By aligning the training curriculum with real market needs, we can increase the job placement rate for Moore Tech graduates leading to local economic growth.”