ESTABLISHING A UNIVERSITY-GOVERNMENT-INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIP TO SUPPORT THE GEOSCIENCE RESOURCE WORKFORCE OF THE FUTURE

At this pivotal moment in time, shortages of graduates in the geologic resource fields present a significant obstacle to the innovations required to support the energy transition, other technology development, manufacturing economy, trade, and security. The decline of minerals-related education has also slowed adoption of new developments in related fields of science, technology, data management, and decision support. More recent considerations in the resource fields around community involvement, environmental justice, environmental protection, and the circular economy necessitate inclusion of disciplines in the geoscience workforce that may not have traditionally been considered in historical mineral development. Investing in the academic institutions and building partnerships across academia, government, and industry is necessary to grow the workforce that will tackle today’s challenges.

In response to Congressional direction, and with input from federal partners, professional societies, state geological surveys, and universities, the USGS is designing a plan for an extramural grant program supporting higher education and research in the geosciences. Such a program would support undergraduate and graduate education for critical mineral supply chain professions needed now as well as advance the scientific research that will strengthen supply chains. It would also ensure that investments at this moment of intense focus on critical mineral supply chains help the field build the workforce of the future. Our vision includes broadening multi-institutional collaboration and interdisciplinary education and research. It recognizes the importance of both engaging both traditional and non-traditional disciplines and building depth in what are increasingly unfamiliar mineral-related professions. It embraces innovation and recognizes the need to connect innovators across government, academia, and the private sector to contribute new fundamental and applied science solutions to critical mineral supply chain challenges and to the broader geoscience fields as a whole.