Key Takeaways:
- The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Roane State Community College, and the Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology have formed a partnership to develop a skilled workforce for the nuclear industry.
- The partnership offers two pilot programs: a 15-hour course for students and a 30-hour course for working professionals, providing hands-on training and academic rigor.
- The programs aim to address the growing demand for skilled workers in the nuclear industry, with a projected need for 236,000 workers nationally by 2035.
- The initiative features a stackable credential system, allowing students and professionals to move seamlessly from technical training to college degrees and beyond.
- The partnership is positioning Tennessee as a national model for workforce development in the nuclear industry.
Introduction to the Nuclear Workforce Initiative
The nuclear industry is experiencing significant growth, with over 230 nuclear companies operating in Tennessee, including several new companies planning major construction projects. To address the growing demand for skilled workers, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Roane State Community College, and the Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology have formed a partnership to develop a skilled workforce for the nuclear industry. The Nuclear Energy Institute workforce report projects that 236,000 workers will be needed nationally to manufacture, construct, and operate advanced reactors through 2035.
Creating Seamless Education Pathways
The collaboration between the three institutions is creating seamless education pathways with hands-on training opportunities for students and professionals looking to transition or advance in nuclear fields. According to Wes Hines, Chancellor’s Professor emeritus in UT’s Tickle College of Engineering, the partnership is focused on identifying gaps in the nuclear workforce and strategically closing them. The initiative is designed to provide students and professionals with the specialized understanding required to work effectively in nuclear environments, ensuring safety, precision, and long-term reliability.
Pilot Programs for Nuclear Technology Training
At the center of the collaboration are two pilot programs: a 15-hour course for students and a 30-hour course for working professionals. The 15-hour course introduces students to nuclear energy through lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on experiments, while the 30-hour course is designed for working professionals wanting to transition into nuclear energy careers or advance within the industry. The programs combine academic rigor with practical training aligned with both industry and national security needs. UT leaders provided input on the curriculum developed by Roane State, guidance on investing state resources in lab space and equipment, and faculty lecturers for both courses.
Stackable Credentials and Career Advancement
A defining feature of the initiative is its stackable credential system, which allows students and professionals to move seamlessly from technical training to college degrees and beyond. According to Christopher Ayers, president of TCAT Harriman, this collaboration removes the silos that have traditionally separated different levels of education, giving people the ability to start anywhere on the career ladder and keep moving up. For example, a TCAT machining student can add nuclear safety training through the 15-hour course, pursue Roane State’s associate’s degree in nuclear technology, and later transfer credits toward a UT engineering or policy program.
A Model for the Nation
As Tennessee experiences a nuclear energy renaissance, these programs are positioning the state as a national model for workforce development in a vital industry. The partnership is proving that effective workforce development happens when higher education and technical training align to meet the rapidly evolving needs of nuclear science and technology. According to Teresa Duncan, vice president of workforce development at Roane State, the long-term goal is to ensure every student and professional understands there’s a future for them in nuclear, with jobs that will be here for decades.
Conclusion and Future Plans
The partnership between UT, Roane State, and TCAT is a significant step towards developing a skilled workforce for the nuclear industry. With the projected need for 236,000 workers nationally by 2035, this initiative is crucial for meeting the growing demand for skilled workers. The next steps include expanding the 15-hour course to additional TCAT campuses and local high schools and scaling the 30-hour program to serve more professionals seeking career transitions. As Hines noted, the foresight from Governor Bill Lee and state leadership to invest in these programs is remarkable, and together, they are building the talent pipeline that will support not only East Tennessee’s growing nuclear industry but also the nation as a whole.
