PULLMAN, Wash. – Washington State University (WSU) announced on May 11 that a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) would provide $1.4 million in funds supporting an initiative to prepare “students and other workers for careers in the nation’s nuclear energy sector.”
The “Reactor Ready” initiative received a total investment of $2.8 million, after WSU offered a cost share with the DOE funds. According to the university, these funds will go towards training workers in nuclear operations, safety and support roles.
Analysis into workforce gaps at nuclear plants, research labs and related industries will reportedly be used to guide course offerings and training programs for WSU students and other participants in the initiative.
This comes as experts report that the demand for workers within the nuclear energy sector is set to increase, citing a generation of older employees planning to retire and upcoming expansions in nuclear facilities.
More information about the “Reactor Ready” initiative can be found on the WSU website.