The Savannah River Site (SRS) recently hosted a delegation from the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) to showcase its renowned Apprenticeship School.
Since its launch in 2020, the program has garnered national recognition for its effectiveness in developing a skilled workforce to meet the growing demands of critical missions at the Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), according to a press release from SRS.
The SRS Apprenticeship School, initiated by Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS), has already graduated over 800 apprentices, with 90% of them securing full-time positions at SRS.
As part of its mission to address workforce attrition and create a sustainable talent pipeline, SRNS plans to hire 2,000 new employees over the next five years.
The program offers three pathways — Youth, Key Skilled Technician, and Professional/Degree-Based—designed to develop the next generation of nuclear and technical professionals.
Representatives from WIPP, inspired by a recent presentation at the Waste Management Symposium, visited SRS to learn from its success and to explore the potential for launching a similar program for electricians and nuclear operators in southeastern New Mexico.
“We struggle to fill critical job needs due to our remote location and competition with oil and gas companies,” said Denis Asay, deputy vice president of Performance Improvement at Salado Isolation Mining Contractors. “We are excited to launch our own apprenticeship program, guided by the model demonstrated by SRS.”
The two-day visit included a tour of the 766-H training facility, where apprentices receive hands-on training in radiological containment and other specialized areas.
SRNS representatives also discussed the importance of community partnerships, including collaborations with Denmark Technical College (DTC), Aiken Technical College (ATC), and Augusta Technical College, to ensure apprentices receive paid, on-the-job training while building valuable networks in their fields.
“Clear communication between SRNS and educational partners ensures that our training aligns with industry needs, particularly in areas like nuclear deterrence,” said SRNS Director of Site Training Dorian Newton. “The visit highlighted the strength of our collaborative relationships and the impact of our apprenticeship initiatives.”
The SRS Apprenticeship Program has earned recognition for its innovation, winning the 2023 A. Wade Martin Innovation Team of the Year Award from the South Carolina Technical College System Foundation, according to a press release from SRS.
It was also featured on NPR’s “Marketplace Morning Report” and celebrated the graduation of its first cohort of Savannah River Plutonium Processing Facility Nuclear Operator apprentices in May 2025.
“The hospitality and professionalism of the Savannah River team were exceptional,” said Asay. “Their top-tier program has inspired us to implement similar strategies at WIPP, and we look forward to launching our apprenticeship initiative in the coming year.”
To view a video about the SRS Apprenticeship Program, visit https://vimeo.com/showcase/ApprenticeshipProgramOverview
