The grant funds are being shared by Aiken Technical College, Augusta State University, Augusta Technical College, University of South Carolina Aiken and University of South Carolina Salkehatchie. This is the first time that area colleges from both sides of the Savannah River have collaborated on a grant. The achievement demonstrates the institutions' strong commitment to regional workforce development.

The five colleges are also partnering with the Department of Energy in the areas of science, technology, engineering, mathematics and research for the DOE Environmental Management program through a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The MOU acknowledges a long-term goal of expanding opportunities for joint work and support.

Dr. Susan Winsor, President of Aiken Technical College and Chair of the Nuclear Workforce Initiative, said the grant is timely in helping area educational institutions gear up to provide the training needed to ensure the local workforce is ready for future jobs in government and commercial nuclear facilities and other high-tech opportunities.

"Nuclear employers, including the region's electric utilities, are forging ahead with their plans to increase reliance on nuclear power, and we know that future retirements will open additional opportunities within the Department of Energy and utility workforce," Dr. Winsor said. We are also confident that existing and new high technology jobs in other industries will be needed as the area recovers from the recent economic downturn." Skills developed through planned programs serve both nuclear and other high-tech industry sectors.

Winsor said workers needed to fill future jobs identified by the region's nuclear employers are not available today to meet the expected long-term demand. "We must be sure that highly skilled employees are ready when they are needed," she said.  "We expect the nuclear industry to provide exceptional opportunities for future employees, including students who may be in middle school or high school today and are considering their future career path."

Under the grant, the area educational institutions will work collaboratively to address training needs in the critical areas of quality control, nuclear welding, chemical technology, environmental remediation and restoration and integration of nuclear science into chemistry and physics programs. Winsor said the colleges and universities involved in the grant program share a unique understanding of the DOE mission, the complex nuclear industry and the industrial communities they serve.

Formed last year by the SRS Community Reuse Organization, the Nuclear Workforce Initiative is coordinating nuclear workforce development efforts among regional employers, educational institutions and economic development organizations.
 

"The SRSCRO is strongly committed to building a collaborative local program that will enhance worker skills and opportunities for economic growth throughout our region," SRSCRO Chair David Jameson said. "By helping to focus workforce training partnerships among educators, employers and economic development entities, the SRSCRO is fulfilling its mission of fostering regional economic growth and development."

Here are training programs to be implemented by each educational institution receiving the DOE grant award.

For more information, contact Mindy Mets.