Related Program

The UIC-ITAC is co-located with two other programs funded by the U.S. Department of Energy:

  • UIC Commercial Building Assessment Center (UIC-CBAC)
  • Auto Supply Diversification Project

Commercial Building Assessment Center

During the summer session, the UIC-CBAC partners with students from Wilbur Wright College (WWC) to provide hands-on training and professional development in the field of commercial building assessments. In this collaborative program, returning ITAC team members and associates from the Industrial Assessment Center department serve as mentors, guiding WWC students through the fundamentals of evaluating commercial buildings for energy efficiency, system performance, and operational improvements.

Through this mentorship, WWC students gain real-world experience in conducting building walkthroughs, collecting performance data, and preparing recommendations for energy savings. They also develop valuable teamwork and communication skills by working closely with UIC students and faculty. This initiative not only strengthens technical expertise but also fosters connections between community college students and the broader energy efficiency industry, helping them prepare for careers in sustainability, building systems, and engineering.

Auto Supply Diversification Project

The Auto Supply Diversification Project, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, supports small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs) in expanding their capabilities to serve the growing electric vehicle (EV) and energy markets. In this initiative, UIC-ITAC conducts on-site assessments to evaluate each manufacturer’s current processes, equipment, and expertise, identifying opportunities to diversify production, improve efficiency, and adopt advanced manufacturing practices.

Through these assessments, our team works closely with company leadership to analyze market potential, technical feasibility, and investment requirements for entering new sectors. The project also connects participating manufacturers with funding resources, technical guidance, and strategic partnerships to accelerate implementation. By bridging the gap between traditional manufacturing capabilities and emerging market demands, the Auto Supply Diversification Project helps strengthen domestic supply chains, enhance competitiveness, and promote a sustainable industrial future.