The Department of Energy launched the PROSPECT initiative on Aug. 7, committing $100 million to train the next generation of American workers in the critical minerals sector as the nation seeks to reduce its dependence on foreign supply chains.
The program will fund workforce development at universities, community colleges, and trade schools across the country, targeting skills needed for mining, processing, and manufacturing involving minerals essential to national and economic security.
Critical minerals including lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements are overwhelmingly sourced or processed outside the United States, primarily in China. These materials are essential components in batteries, defense systems, semiconductors, and renewable energy technologies.
The United States currently imports the majority of more than 50 minerals deemed critical by the federal government. Building domestic supply chains requires a trained workforce that does not currently exist at scale, DOE said.
The PROSPECT initiative is part of the administration’s broader energy dominance and mineral independence strategy. The program aims to create career pathways in an industry that will require thousands of new workers as domestic mining and processing operations expand.
Community colleges and trade schools are expected to play a central role in the initiative, offering certificate and associate degree programs aligned with industry needs. The DOE said it will work with industry partners to ensure training programs match employer demand.
The critical minerals workforce gap has been identified as one of the primary bottlenecks to achieving domestic mineral independence, alongside permitting reform and capital investment.