SCC announces enrollment for Nuclear Energy Workforce Training Program
Somerset Community College (SCC) is now accepting participants for a new workforce training program designed to prepare Eastern Kentuckians for high-demand careers in the nuclear energy industry.
Delivered through SCC’s Workforce Solutions and supported through a partnership between the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) and Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR), the program provides industry-focused training that can lead to employment opportunities supporting nuclear power plants across the United States. The initiative is funded through support from the GitLab Foundation and the Kentucky Nuclear Energy Development Authority and is being offered at six KCTCS colleges across Eastern Kentucky.
The 16-week training program includes 240 hours of instruction and hands-on learning designed to prepare participants for nuclear outage work, a specialized field that supports scheduled maintenance, upgrades, inspections, and refueling activities at nuclear power plants.
Participants will receive training in:
- OSHA-10 safety and workplace standards
- Blueprint reading and precision measurement
- Mechanical systems and fluid power
- Electrical fundamentals and industrial systems
- Automation and programmable logic controllers (PLCs)
- Industrial troubleshooting and problem-solving
The program requires approximately 15 hours per week and combines classroom instruction, hands-on lab experience, and career readiness training.
“SCC is proud to be part of this initiative that creates new opportunities for the people of Southcentral Kentucky,” said SCC Chancellor Dr. Carey Castle. “As the energy industry continues to evolve, we are committed to providing the training and skills our workforce needs to succeed in high-demand careers."
Through partnerships established by SOAR with employers including Framatome, System One, Westinghouse Electric Company LLC, and WECTEC Staffing Services, participants who complete the training program will have opportunities to connect with employers actively seeking skilled workers.
More than 30 Eastern Kentuckians are currently working in nuclear outage roles across the country through SOAR-supported workforce initiatives.
“This training creates a pathway to careers that offer strong wages, valuable technical experience, and the flexibility to remain rooted in Eastern Kentucky,” said Dr. Reed Adkins, Executive Director of SOAR. “We’re excited to partner with SCC to help residents gain the skills needed to access these opportunities.”
Upon completion, participants will be connected to SOAR’s Eastern Kentucky Talent Network for continued employment support, hiring events, and employer introductions.
"Our partnership with SOAR and the EKY Talent Network is about opening real doors for our community. It's exciting to see a regional effort create meaningful pathways right here for our workforce- connecting talent from Somerset and across the SCC region to careers that can truly change lives," SCC's Vice Chancellor of Workforce Solutions, Alesa Johnson, said. "Opportunities like this remind us what is possible when we work together with purpose."
Enrollment is now open.
To learn more or apply, visit:
https://soar-ky.org/eastern-kentucky-talent-network/kctcs-energy/
For information about local enrollment opportunities, contact:
Benjamin Fouts
ben.fouts@kctcs.edu
(606) 451-6786
