The Nuclear Workforce Development Forum report summarizes a half-day long meeting hosted by the Southeast Nuclear Advisory Council and E4 Carolinas focused on the current state of nuclear workforce development efforts in the Southeast U.S. Participants from the private sector, two- and four-year colleges, and national industry associations were invited to discuss what works, what pain points persist, and what remains to be done in nuclear workforce development. The presentations emphasized the critical need for skilled trades and professionals to support the growing demand for nuclear energy and outlined strategies to ensure the workforce is ready to build, operate, and maintain existing and planned nuclear reactors

The Southeastern United States is a leader in domestic nuclear energy production. Approximately 37 percent of net electricity production in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia comes from nuclear power, which is higher than in virtually all other U.S. states and is also higher than the U.S. average of approximately 19 percent. In addition, nuclear power represents the largest source of clean energy in the United States, and the expectation is that the nuclear industry will grow in demand in the coming years as a required component of many economic development strategies targeting an increased use of clean energy. Nuclear power already generates nearly 800 billion kilowatt hours of electricity each year and produces more than half of the nation’s emissions-free electricity.

The Nuclear Workforce Development Forum report summarizes a half-day long meeting hosted by the Southeast Nuclear Advisory Council and E4 Carolinas focused on the current state of nuclear workforce development efforts in the Southeast U.S. Participants from the private sector, two- and four-year colleges, and national industry associations were invited to discuss what works, what pain points persist, and what remains to be done in nuclear workforce development. The presentations emphasized the critical need for skilled trades and professionals to support the growing demand for nuclear energy and outlined strategies to ensure the workforce is ready to build, operate, and maintain existing and planned nuclear reactors.

The Southeastern United States is a leader in domestic nuclear energy production. Approximately 37 percent of net electricity production in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia comes from nuclear power, which is higher than in virtually all other U.S. states and is also higher than the U.S. average of approximately 19 percent. In addition, nuclear power represents the largest source of clean energy in the United States, and the expectation is that the nuclear industry will grow in demand in the coming years as a required component of many economic development strategies targeting an increased use of clean energy. Nuclear power already generates nearly 800 billion kilowatt hours of electricity each year and produces more than half of the nation’s emissions-free electricity.