How Can I Work in the Nuclear Energy Industry?

How Can I Work in the Nuclear Energy Industry?Careers are available in the nuclear industry. This guide has been created to help job seekers find the education and training opportunities they need in order to work in the nuclear energy industry.

Table of Contents

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

What You Should Know About Careers in Nuclear Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Nuclear Education & Training Opportunities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Financial Support & Scholarship Opportunities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Nuclear Energy Facility Access Authorization Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Frequently Asked Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Directory of Associates Degree Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Directory of Undergraduate & Graduate Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Directory of Undergraduate Minor & Graduate Certificate Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

With new facility construction underway and 50 percent of the nuclear workforce either eligible for retirement (39 percent) or expected to leave their jobs (11 percent) within the next five years, the need at both current and new nuclear energy facilities could translate into tens of thousands of jobs to build, maintain and support new and existing reactors.

Introduction

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Abundant Job MarketNuclear energy facilities typically operate up to 60 years, providing long-term career opportunities to eligible candidates. Due to natural attrition rates, there will be an increase in job availability over the next few years. With companies working to build new nuclear energy facilities in the United States and worldwide, they will be looking to hire new workers to cover their expanded work scope as well as to replace retirees. Projections show that to maintain the current workforce, the industry will need to hire approximately 25,000 new workers by 2016.

Nuclear energy professionals help produce 20 percent of America’s power and 70 percent of our nation’s clean-air electricity in a cost-efficient and reliable manner without emitting greenhouse gases. It’s a win-win-win: nuclear energy is good for you, good for the U.S. economy and good for the environment.

Workers Receive Competitive Salaries & Diverse OpportunitiesCareers in nuclear energy offer challenging work with highly competitive salaries and benefits. Jobs at U.S. nuclear facilities today pay 36 percent more than the average salaries in their local areas.

In addition, every work day is unique, with opportunities to resolve problems and improve processes. Opportunities are available in individual or team environments. Creativity and responsibility are rewarded with career advancement and professional development.

Working at a Nuclear Energy Facility is SafeNuclear energy facilities are among the safest and most secure industrial facilities in the United States. Multiple layers of physical security and high levels of operational performance protect facility workers, the public and the environment. The American nuclear energy industry has long demonstrated its commitment to not only maintaining the highest levels of safety, but continuously updating and improving its best practices to make safe facilities even safer.

What You Should Know About Careers in Nuclear Energy

Preparing for a Nuclear Energy CareerSome of the typical paths into nuclear energy careers include two-year colleges, universities, the U.S. military and union apprenticeship programs. The education and training provided by these types of organizations are highly sought after by the nuclear energy industry.

With a wide range of job opportunities, the nuclear energy industry hires individuals with as little as a high school diploma through those with doctorates. The industry prefers individuals with skills and knowledge applicable to the nuclear energy industry.

Associate DegreesIndividuals interested in becoming non-licensed operators, radiation protection technicians and maintenance personnel can obtain a nuclear energy technology degree from the community colleges and trade associations listed on page 10. The programs listed are a part of the industry sponsored Nuclear Uniform Curriculum Program. Graduates of these programs are eligible to receive a nationally recognized portable credential, which aligns with the industry’s required initial training program.

Undergraduate & Graduate DegreesIndividuals interested in becoming nuclear engineers or health physicists can attend one of the universities listed on page 12. Nuclear utilities typically hire college graduates with bachelor degrees while nuclear vendors prefer candidates with graduate degrees.

Contrary to popular belief, the majority of engineers employed in the nuclear energy industry are non-nuclear engineers. The industry has a high demand for mechanical, electrical, civil and chemical engineers who have an understanding of power systems. Engineering students looking to increase their marketability in the nuclear energy industry can obtain a minor or certificate in nuclear engineering from the universities listed on page 14.

Nuclear Education & Training Opportunities

Employees working at U.S. nuclear facilities are paid 36 percent more on average than other people in their local communities.

The nuclear industry will need to hire approximately 25,000 new workers by 2016.

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There are a variety of options to help reduce the financial burden of nuclear training and education.

Learn As You EarnBoth unions and the military employ a “learn as you earn” model. Union apprentices receive classroom and on-the-job training while receiving a paycheck. Military completion of these programs makes applicants highly-marketable to nuclear energy companies.

Scholarships & FellowshipsThere are many national scholarships and fellowship opportunities available to individuals who are looking to study fields related to nuclear energy. More information can be found on the websites of the organizations that sponsor these opportunities:

• Industry Scholarships & Fellowships www.nei.org/careersandeducation/educationandresources/scholarships/industryschlrflw/

• American Nuclear Society Scholarships & Fellowships www.new.ans.org/honors/scholarships

• Nuclear Regulatory Commission Scholarships & Fellowships www.nrc.gov/about-nrc/grants.html#sf

• Department of Energy Scholarships & Fellowships www.neup.gov

Prospective students should ask their colleges and universities about opportunities available at each institution.

How To ApplyJob opportunities at nuclear energy facilities are available around the country. You must apply for vacancies via each nuclear energy company’s recruiting website. The Nuclear Energy Institute maintains an online jobs board that lists many of the nuclear energy company’s recruiting websites to simplify the search. The website can be accessed at www.nei.org/careersandeducation.

Financial Support & Scholarship Opportunities

Military ServiceU.S. military personnel often take advantage of entry-level and mid-career engineering, technician, operator and security positions. Veterans from all branches of the U.S. military should consider applying for vacancies. In particular, the U.S. Navy’s nuclear propulsion school provides graduates with fundamentals and components education directly applicable to careers at nuclear energy facilities.

Apprenticeships Many operators, technicians and maintenance personnel are represented by a union. The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Sheet Metal Workers International Association, International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers, United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters and the Union Millwrights all participate in the Nuclear Mechanic Apprenticeship Program (NMAP). NMAP documents the training provided to apprentices from these unions and aligns it to the required training at nuclear energy facilities.

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As many as 3,500 workers will be needed at a single site during peak periods of new nuclear energy facility construction.

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To ensure that nuclear energy production is in the best and most capable hands, all industry employees are subject to pre- and post-employment examinations.

Pre-Employment Background InvestigationsSafety and security are always a priority at nuclear energy facilities. Therefore, the nuclear energy industry is legally required to perform comprehensive background screenings of all potential employees to ensure that they are trustworthy and reliable before granting them unescorted access to a nuclear energy facility.

Background screenings include a thorough review of an applicant’s employment, educational, criminal, military and credit history. Minor infractions like traffic violations and misdemeanors may not preclude applicants from receiving employment as long as all of this information is fully disclosed on the personal history questionnaire.

Applicants must also submit to psychological, drug and alcohol testing. These are routine assessments for all nuclear energy employees.

Pre-Employment ExaminationsMany nuclear energy companies require entry-level personnel to pass pre-employment aptitude examinations. These tests help the utility determine who will be successful in the company’s training programs. Applicants should refer to each company’s recruitment website for additional information about required pre-employment aptitude examinations.

Continuous Background InvestigationsAll employees are continuously monitored for impaired performance. If hired, all employees will be required to participate in random drug and alcohol testing.

Nuclear Energy Facility Access Authorization Requirements Frequently Asked Questions

I’m not a nuclear engineer. Is there a job for me in the nuclear energy industry?Yes. It is a common myth that nuclear energy facilities only employ nuclear engineers. The industry needs all kinds of technicians, craft workers and other professionals in positions ranging from entry-level to mid-career and those with military training and service experience. Positions available in the nuclear industry include:

What kind of educational background do I need to work at a nuclear facility?The educational background necessary to work at a nuclear facility varies a great deal. Depending on the role, individuals can qualify for consideration with anything from a high school diploma to a doctorate.

I passed a drug and alcohol screening test during my previous job. Do I need to take these tests again?Yes. Nuclear energy employees are required to pass drug and alcohol screenings. All employees should expect to

take these tests before starting full-time employment and then periodically throughout their entire career.

I’ve been accepted into a nuclear training or degree program, but I don’t have any money to pay the tuition. Is there a scholarship available for someone like me?Yes. Students can apply for a scholarship offered to incoming freshmen through the American Nuclear Society. Please note that the application deadline for this scholarship is in the early spring.

Are there minority scholarship opportunities in the nuclear energy industry?Yes. Organizations such as the American Association of Blacks in Energy offer scholarships, as do Historically Black Colleges and Universities with applicable programs.

I own a small business. Are there opportunities for small and minority businesses to work with the nuclear energy industry? If so, what are they? Yes. Beyond the industry, there are a wide range of small and minority businesses that are instrumental to the production of nuclear energy. Information on how these businesses can get involved is available from the Department of Energy and can be accessed at http://energy.gov/diversity/working-us/small-businesses.

Safety and security are always a priority at nuclear energy facilities.

• Reactor Operators• Pipefitters• Sheet Metal Workers• Radiation Protection

Specialists• Masons• Electricians

• Chemical, Mechanical & Electrical Engineers

• Carpenters• Heavy Equipment

Operators• Welders• Millwrights

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Pennsylvania Delaware County Community College www.dccc.edu

Luzerne County Community College www.luzerne.edu

South Carolina Aiken Technical College www.atc.edu

Florence-Darlington Technical College www.fdtc.edu

Midlands Technical College www.mid.tec.sc.us

Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College www.octech.edu

Spartanburg Technical College www.sccsc.edu

Tennessee Chattanooga State Community College www.chattanoogastate.edu

Texas Brazosport College www.brazosport.edu

Texas State Technical College www.tstc.edu

Wharton County Junior College www.wcjc.edu

Washington Columbia Basin College www.columbiabasin.edu

Wisconsin Lakeshore Technical College www.gotoltc.edu

Arizona Estrella Mountain Community College www.estrellamountain.edu

California Miracosta College www.miracosta.edu

Connecticut Three Rivers Community College www.trcc.commnet.edu

Florida Indian River State College www.ircc.edu

Miami Dade College www.mdc.edu

Georgia Augusta Technical College www.augustatech.edu

Wallace Community College www.wallace.edu

Idaho ESTEC/Idaho State University www.isu.edu

Kentucky West Kentucky Community & Technical College www.westkentucky.kctcs.edu

Maryland College of Southern Maryland www.csmd.edu

Michigan Lake Michigan Community College www.lakemichigancollege.edu

Monroe County Community College www.monroeccc.edu

Minnesota Dakota County Technical College www.dctc.edu

St. Cloud Technical College www.sctc.edu

Missouri Linn State www.linnstate.edu

Nebraska Metropolitan Community College www.mccneb.edu

Southeast Community College www.southeast.edu

New Jersey Salem Community College www.salemcc.edu

New Mexico New Mexico Jr. College www.nmjc.edu

New York Excelsior College www.excelsior.edu

Onondaga Community College www.sunyocc.edu

Westchester Community College www.sunywcc.edu

North Carolina Gaston College www.gaston.edu

North Dakota Bismarck State College www.bismarckstate.edu

Ohio Lakeland Community College www.Lakelandcc.edu

Community Colleges & Trade Schools Nuclear Energy Technology Associate Degree Programs [continued]

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California UC Berkeley www.berkeley.edu

Colorado Air Force Institute of Technology www.afit.edu

Florida University of Florida www.ufl.edu

Georgia Georgia Institute of Technology www.gatech.edu

Idaho Idaho State University www.isu.edu

Illinois University of Illinois www.illinois.edu

Indiana Purdue University www.purdue.edu

Kansas Kansas State University www.k-state.edu

Maine University of Maine www.umaine.edu

Maryland University of Maryland www.umd.edu

Massachusetts Massachusetts Institute of Technology www.mit.edu

University of Massachusetts Lowell www.uml.edu

Michigan University of Michigan www.umich.edu

Missouri Missouri University of Science & Technology www.mst.edu

University of Missouri www.missouri.edu

Nevada University of Nevada go.unlv.edu

New Mexico University of New Mexico www.unm.edu

New York Excelsior College www.excelsior.edu

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute www.rpi.edu

North Carolina North Carolina State University www.ncsu.edu

Ohio Ohio State University www.osu.edu

Oregon Oregon State University www.oregonstate.edu

Pennsylvania Pennsylvania State University www.psu.edu

South Carolina South Carolina State University www.scsu.edu

Nuclear Engineering & Health Physics Undergraduate & Graduate Programs

Tennessee University of Tennessee www.utk.edu

Texas Texas A&M University www.tamu.edu

University of Texas www.utexas.edu

University of North Texas www.unt.edu

Utah University of Utah www.utah.edu

Virginia Virginia Commonwealth University www.vcu.edu

Wisconsin University of Wisconsin www.wisc.edu

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Nuclear Engineering Undergraduate Minor & Graduate Certificate Programs

Alabama Auburn University www.auburn.edu/

Arizona Arizona State University www.asu.edu/

California UC Berkeley www.berkeley.edu

Idaho Idaho State University www.isu.edu

Indiana Purdue University www.purdue.edu

Iowa Iowa State University www.iastate.edu

Kansas Kansas State University www.k-state.edu

Louisiana Louisiana State University www.lsu.edu

Maryland University of Maryland www.umd.edu

Massachusetts Massachusetts Institute of Technology www.mit.edu

University of Massachusetts Lowell www.uml.edu

Missouri University of Missouri www.missouri.edu

New Mexico University of New Mexico www.unm.edu

New York NYU Poly www.poly.edu

North Carolina North Carolina State University www.ncsu.edu

Ohio Ohio State University www.osu.edu

Pennsylvania Drexel University www.drexel.edu

Lehigh University www4.lehigh.edu

University of Pittsburgh www.pitt.edu

Rhode Island University of Rhode Island www.uri.edu

South Carolina South Carolina State University www.scsu.edu

South Dakota South Dakota State University www.sdstate.edu/

Tennessee University of Tennessee www.utk.edu

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Texas Texas A&M University www.tamu.edu

Texas Tech University www.ttu.edu/

University of Texas www.utexas.edu

Utah University of Utah www.utah.edu

Virginia Virginia Commonwealth University www.vcu.edu

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About the Clean and Safe Energy CoalitionThe Clean and Safe Energy (CASEnergy) Coalition is a national grassroots coalition formed to support the increased use of nuclear energy to ensure an environmentally clean, safe, affordable and reliable supply of electricity. Nuclear energy enhances America’s energy security and economic growth, helps attain cleaner air and improves the quality of life, health and economic well-being for all Americans.

The CASEnergy Coalition’s mission is to educate the American public on the benefits of nuclear energy. The coalition represents a broad cross-section of members united in their support for nuclear energy. Members include business, environmental, academic, consumer, minority, industry and labor communities.

CASEnergy needs your support. Please consider joining the mission to support nuclear expansion in the U.S.

You can become a member of the CASEnergy Coalition today at: www.CleanSafeEnergy.org.