Alabama Energy Infrastructure Training Center earns DOE recognition
The Alabama Energy Infrastructure Training Center’s HVAC Fast Track Program has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for excellence in Heat Pump Installation and Heat Pump Comfort Advising — a distinction that runs through February 2029.
The Training Center is a public-private workforce development partnership between the Alabama Legislature, the Alabama Community College System, Alabama Power and other industry partners.
“The Energy Infrastructure Training Center is a perfect example of what’s possible when education, industry and community come together with a shared purpose,” said Dr. Joel Hagood, president of Bevill State Community College. “This Department of Energy recognition affirms that our students are receiving training that meets the highest national standards and that Bevill State is playing a meaningful role in building the skilled workforce Alabama’s energy industry depends on.”
The Energy Infrastructure Training Center in Jasper is home to the HVAC Fast Track Program recognized for excellence in Heat Pump Installation and Heat Pump Comfort Advising by the U.S. Department of Energy. (Alabama News Center file)
Located in Jasper and operated in partnership with Bevill State Community College, the Training Center provides hands-on instruction with the latest HVAC systems and tools, helping students build real-world skills that serve customers and strengthen Alabama’s workforce.
The recognition highlights the Training Center’s commitment to preparing technicians for the next generation of energy-efficient technologies and aligns its curriculum with the DOE’s clean energy transition goals. It also positions program graduates for meaningful, in-demand jobs as the HVAC industry evolves toward sustainability and innovation.
“At Alabama Power, we believe our role goes far beyond providing electricity it’s about investing in people and the communities we serve,” said Stevie Searcy, Director of Workforce Development & Training at Alabama Power. “The DOE’s recognition of the HVAC Fast Track Program shows what can happen when we invest in local talent and strong partnerships. Together, we’re preparing a workforce ready to support the infrastructure that keeps Alabama moving forward.”
The DOE recognition also means graduates and the companies that employ them will stand out in online searches as trusted experts in energy-efficient home upgrades. Through DOE’s collaboration with Google and other contractor listing sites, businesses with employees who hold this credential will display the Energy Skilled design mark in their search results, signaling to consumers that they meet national standards for quality and efficiency. This recognition enhances the program’s credibility, helps contractors attract homeowners seeking qualified professionals and connects the training directly to federal incentives for heat pump installations and other energy-saving improvements.
Beyond the Fast Track Program, the Training Center offers a wide range of courses and certifications for professionals at every stage of their careers — from introductory HVAC fundamentals to advanced topics in heat pump technology, geothermal systems, duct fabrication and high-efficiency water heating. Supported by dozens of manufacturers and distributors, the facility’s 53,000-square-foot space includes state-of-the-art labs and classrooms designed to keep Alabama’s technicians at the forefront of industry innovation.