The Role of Vocational-Technical Schools and Community Colleges

Vocational or technical schools and community colleges both play crucial roles in preparing a skilled workforce in the nuclear energy industry, but they cater to different needs and populations:

• Vocational or technical schools focus on hands-on, short-term programs that prioritize job-ready skills with minimal general education, making them ideal for those looking to quickly enter a specific trade.
• Community colleges offer similar career-oriented training along with academic courses that can be transferred to four-year universities, providing flexibility for students to earn associate degrees and transfer credits toward bachelor programs in various fields.

Vocational or technical schools and community colleges are particularly well-positioned to support the nuclear industry by: delivering short-term, modular training for entry-level nuclear positions; facilitating pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship pathways; offering opportunities for workers to improve their skills throughout their careers; building strong partnerships with local employers and high schools; and making education more attainable and approachable for a wide spectrum of learners. By serving different educational needs and career goals, vocational schools and community colleges together form a comprehensive system that supports both immediate workforce entry and long-term academic advancement in the nuclear energy sector.

Despite their potential, many nuclear training programs face challenges such as declining enrollment, outdated curricula and laboratory equipment, and difficulty attracting qualified faculty. Public uncertainty about the future of nuclear energy also makes recruitment difficult. To meet the demands of both traditional and next-generation nuclear systems, the following actions are essential:

• Updating curricula with new technology such as virtual, augmented, and mixed reality tools.
• Increasing outreach to high schools to build early career awareness.
• Developing a sustainable pipeline of instructors through partnerships with local industry, structured onboarding, and professional development.
• Revitalizing participation in national programs like the Nuclear Uniform Curriculum Program (NUCP), a standardized curriculum for training nuclear plant workers developed by the Nuclear Energy Institute.

Enhancing and expanding vocational, technical, and community college programs is essential to securing a skilled, future-ready nuclear workforce. These institutions not only prepare the next generation of nuclear professionals but also ensure the long-term safety and viability of the U.S. energy infrastructure.