Summary of Findings for Vocational-Technical Schools and Community Colleges

Vocational or technical schools and community colleges play a key role in developing the nuclear workforce, but face challenges that need addressing.

Summary of Findings for Vocational-Technical Schools and Community Colleges

  1. Educational Capacity and Faculty Development:

    There’s a shortage of qualified educators with both industry expertise and teaching skills. Recruiting and retaining faculty is especially hard due to salary disparities with the private sector. Competitive pay, structured onboarding, and professional development can help build an instructor pipeline.

  2. Curriculum and Program Development:

    Developing industry-aligned curricula takes time and support. Vocational schools and community colleges need sufficient lead time to create programs that meet accreditation standards and evolving industry needs. Using experiential learning tools like augmented and virtual reality is crucial for modern nuclear training.

  3. Infrastructure and Equipment:

    Access to specialized facilities and equipment is a significant barrier. Nuclear programs require industry-grade labs and safety infrastructure, which are costly to acquire and maintain. Without this, students cannot gain the hands-on experience necessary for safe and effective workforce entry.

  4. Industry Engagement and Partnerships:

    Stronger, sustained partnerships with nuclear facilities and industry stakeholders keep training programs relevant and aligned with employer expectations. Renewed collaboration is necessary due to declining participation in programs like the Nuclear Uniform Curriculum Program (NUCP).

  5. Outreach and Recruitment:

    A coordinated strategy to attract students to nuclear careers is essential. Engaging students, families, high school counselors, and educators early on that provide clear pathways from high school to postsecondary training helps build a robust talent pipeline. Coordinating efforts with local or regional industry partners and educational institutions will increase the impact across a broader community.

  6. Funding and Support:

    Sustainable funding from government and industry partners is necessary to expand capacity, modernize facilities, and support both students and faculty to meet the growing demand for nuclear technicians and specialists.

Strategic Response: From Analysis to Action

Click on the cards below for more information about each priority.

  • Strategic Priority 1: Enhancing Nuclear Career Awareness

    Two workers behind a radiation control line

    Addresses: Outreach and Recruitment + Industry Engagement and Partnerships

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    Recommendations:

    • Develop a Nuclear Energy Digital Hub: Create a centralized platform for outreach and career exploration highlighting nuclear careers at all levels—from skilled trades to advanced degrees.
    • Unify Messaging Across Education Levels: Launch a campaign to promote nuclear careers, addressing misconceptions and emphasizing the industry’s role in carbon-free energy.
    • Create Interactive Career Pathway Tools: Develop online platforms for students to explore nuclear careers, required skills, salary expectations, and testimonials from professionals.
    • Highlight a Range of Professional Journeys: Showcase professionals with varied career paths and experiences to inspire the next generation of nuclear industry talent.
    • Strengthen Recruitment and Support Programs for Veterans and Emerging Talent: Create targeted outreach and mentorship initiatives that leverage the specialized skills of veterans and professionals from nontraditional career paths, helping to drive innovation and expand the nuclear pipeline.
    • Integrate Career Awareness into STEM and CTE Programs: Embed nuclear career pathways into existing STEM and CTE (Career and Technical Education) frameworks, such as the Green Workforce Integration cluster, aligning with student interests and labor market needs.
    • Use Immersive Technologies: Use XR tools to simulate real-world nuclear environments, offering immersive experiences like facility tours and safety drills to enhance student engagement.
    • Provide Career Counseling and Support Services: Provide nuclear industry career counseling, career guidance tailored to individual skills and interests, and networking opportunities to connect job seekers with industry professionals.
    • Launch Ambassador and Mentorship Programs: Recruit industry professionals and recent graduates to serve as ambassadors and mentors to guide students through school visits, webinars, and networking events.
    • Foster Community and Industry Engagement: Collaborate with educators and industry professionals to deliver interactive, engaging events such as career nights, STEM workshops, and mentorship programs. Focus outreach efforts on broad student participation—especially in rural, first-generation, and bilingual communities—and use student feedback to enhance future programming.

  • Strategic Priority 2: Supporting Pipeline and Pathway Development

    Students participate in a radiation sciences training course

    Addresses: Curriculum and Program Development + Outreach and Recruitment

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    Recommendations:

    • Expand Dual Enrollment and Early College Programs: Partner with high schools to offer nuclear-related courses for vocational-technical school or college credit, building early interest and readiness. Develop nuclear-focused early programs, like summer institutes or career academies, to build awareness and provide hands-on experience in nuclear careers.
    • Formalize Transfer Pathways: Create articulation agreements between academic institutions to ensure seamless credit transfer and continued education.
    • Offer Experiential Learning and Bootcamps: Provide hands-on training to students through summer bridge programs, safety simulations, and real-world problem-solving challenges. Provide educator externships with nuclear industry partners to enhance knowledge and to support the integration of nuclear topics into curricula.
    • Develop Stackable Credential Programs: Create modular training programs that lead to industry-recognized certifications, allowing students to build qualifications progressively.
    • Establish Apprenticeship Programs: Develop structured pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship pathways—registered and non-registered—designed to build a steady pipeline of skilled nuclear energy workers. These programs should combine hands-on experience with targeted instruction to meet evolving workforce demands and support long-term career growth in the sector.
    • Develop or Enhance Internship, Mentorship and Alumni Networks: Connect students with skilled tradespeople, alumni, and industry professionals for mentorship, job shadowing, and classroom engagement. Improve internship programs by introducing pre- and post-internship phases to introduce students to the industry and build longer-term connections.
    • Support for Emerging Talent: Collaborate with local colleges and training organizations to offer targeted support services and outreach, ensuring students from varied backgrounds have tools for success in the nuclear industry.
    • Establish Industry Advisory Boards: Form advisory boards with industry representatives to review and update curricula based on emerging technologies and workforce needs.
    • Integrate Advanced Nuclear Technologies: Update curricula to include emerging technologies, reactor designs, and sustainability practices to keep pace with industry evolution.
    • Implement Data Collection Program: Collect data on educational outcomes, student outcomes, employment rates, and satisfaction to guide educational program strategies.

  • Strategic Priority 3: Identifying Financial Support, Resources, and Programs

    Nuclear power plant

    Addresses: Funding and Support + Infrastructure and Equipment + Industry Engagement and Partnerships

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    Recommendations:

    • Develop Centralize Funding Portal: Develop a comprehensive online hub listing scholarships, grants, internships, apprenticeships, and emergency aid for nuclear education.
    • Coordinate Work-Study and Part-Time Opportunities: Partner with employers to offer flexible, paid work experiences aligned with students’ educational programs.
    • Expand Financial Aid and Subsidized Programs: Offer expanded financial assistance in the form of scholarships, stipends, and paid internships, to draw new talent into the nuclear industry and ensure cost is not a barrier to participation.
    • Provide Wraparound Support Services: Offer childcare, mental health counseling, housing assistance, transportation support, and tutoring to reduce barriers for adult learners and student parents.
    • Secure Partnerships to Support Educators: Collaborate with stakeholders to fund externships, professional development, and student financial aid.
    • Pursue Collaborative Grant Opportunities: Encourage joint funding proposals that link colleges, industry, and government in workforce development initiatives.
    • Identify and Secure Funding: Provide training on how to identify and secure external funding for program innovations and student support.

  • Strategic Priority 4: Optimizing Academic Resources Through Collaboration

    A researcher conducts laboratory research

    Addresses: Tailored Educational Activities + Family and Community Involvement + Educator Support and Training

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    Recommendations:

    • Form Inter-Institutional Partnerships: Build coalitions among vocational-technical schools, community colleges, and universities to share best practices, faculty expertise, and curricular resources.
    • Create Educational Content: Develop educational content that captivates students’ interest while being tailored to their cognitive and developmental stage.
    • Develop Standardized Introductory Courses: Create foundational nuclear courses and simulations shared across institutions to ensure consistent learning outcomes.
    • Launch a National Repository of Open Educational Resources: Provide a platform for educators to share and adapt curricula, lab manuals, and XR modules.
    • Expand Access to Shared Facilities: Advocate for broader participation in programs like the DOE Reactor Sharing Program to provide hands-on experience.
    • Establish and Institutionalize Faculty Mentorship Networks: Pair emerging programs with experienced institutions to support curriculum development and industry alignment.
    • Invest in Faculty Development: Offer training in emerging technologies, XR integration, and innovative teaching methods to keep instruction current.
    • Host Curriculum Innovation Summits: Facilitate regular gatherings for educators to co-create content, share advancements, and pilot new instructional tools.
    • Establish a National Energy Education Advisory Board: Create a board of educators, students, industry, and government representatives, convened at the federal level, to guide nuclear education strategy and resource development.