Eighteen educators from across seven counties recently toured the Savannah River Site’s (SRS) Machining Training Center (MTC), gaining firsthand insight into the site’s expanding defense missions and future workforce needs.
Hosted by Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS), the visit aimed to strengthen ties with local schools and highlight career opportunities for students in STEM and technical fields.
The group explored the newly constructed MTC, which plays a critical role in preparing skilled workers for the Savannah River Plutonium Processing Facility (SRPPF).
The SRPPF supports the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) by producing plutonium pits — key components of nuclear weapons — as part of the U.S. nuclear stockpile modernization strategy. The MTC trains operators in machining and welding in a non-nuclear setting, fast-tracking readiness for high-stakes operations.
“Providing these opportunities ensures educators are aware of our workforce needs, career paths, and mission scopes while fostering a pipeline of well-trained graduates ready to enter our workforce,” said SRNS Education Outreach Lead Kim Mitchell.
Educators toured the MTC’s high bays, viewed advanced equipment and learned about the site’s three-phase training strategy, described as a “crawl, walk, run” approach.
Trainees begin in a low-risk environment at MTC, advance to the High-Fidelity Training and Operations Center (HFTOC), and eventually graduate to the SRPPF Main Process Building where they work with real materials under stringent safety protocols, according to a press release from SRS.
“The MTC provides a safe and effective space to evaluate and prepare new personnel for complex roles at SRPPF,” said SRPPF Deputy Facility Manager Ross Montgomery. “We rely on educators to help identify and inspire the next generation of nuclear professionals.”
The educators also participated in a driving tour of SRS, learning about the site’s environmental cleanup efforts, nuclear material security missions and its evolving role in national defense.
Tonya Bryant, head of South Aiken Baptist Christian School, said, “I plan to share what I learned with students. Knowing they can be fully trained on the job and work in national security is a powerful message.”
Many attendees expressed enthusiasm about the facility’s hands-on training philosophy and potential career pathways for their students, according to a press release from SRS.
“The new MTC is truly impressive,” said Mary Beth Avent, principal at Town Creek Christian Academy. “The phased learning strategy and emphasis on teamwork align closely with what we value in education.”
Mitchell concluded by encouraging students to build a strong STEM foundation, pursue internships and develop a commitment to safety and regulatory compliance.
“We want every student to know there’s a place for them at SRS if they’re ready to rise to the challenge,” she said.
Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, a partnership between Fluor and HII, manages and operates the Department of Energy’s Savannah River Site near Aiken, S.C.
