Framatome, the nuclear energy company, is investing $400,000 over four years to relaunch its Nuclear Technology Academy, which collaborates with Central Virginia Community College to educate students to become nuclear technicians. The program enables students to earn an associate of applied science degree in nuclear technology with a mechatronics track. They will work part-time at Framatome while earning full-time pay and benefits. The program was previously restricted to current Framatome employees but is now open to all students. The company modernized the program with the college because it expects the demand for skilled nuclear technicians to increase to meet US and international energy needs.
As featured on Cardinal News, Framatome, a nuclear energy company, has announced a $400,000 investment over four years to relaunch its Nuclear Technology Academy. The academy is a collaboration with Central Virginia Community College to educate students to become nuclear technicians, and through the program, students can earn an associate of applied science degree in nuclear technology with a mechatronics track.
The program allows students to split their time between the classroom and working at Framatome while earning full-time pay with benefits. Previously, the program was restricted to current Framatome employees, but now it is open to all students. The program has been reworked to better balance students’ classroom time and on-the-job time, to offer students more competitive pay, and to offer graduates opportunities for full-time jobs at Framatome.
Framatome, formerly called Areva, is a France-based company that designs and maintains large nuclear reactors, providing control systems and other equipment, fuel, and maintenance services. It employs more than 16,000 people worldwide, including 1,320 in Lynchburg, the site of its North American headquarters. Framatome says it modernized its program with CVCC because it expects the demand for skilled nuclear technicians to increase to meet U.S. and international energy needs.
Katherine Williams, Framatome’s chief financial officer who will become its CEO on July 1, said the nuclear industry offers “tremendous opportunities.” The relaunched Nuclear Technology Academy provides young people the opportunity to make a difference, help keep the lights on, and help North America grow, and even internationally. Williams added that the company has the technology, but it needs the workforce, res, and people who are committed and willing to learn.
The Framatome Nuclear Technology Academy has been operating since it initially launched in 2004. The academy previously was restricted to current Framatome employees, but now it is open to all students, As featured on CVCC President John Capps. The program is designed to better balance students’ classroom time and on-the-job time, offer students more competitive pay, and provide graduates opportunities for full-time jobs at Framatome.
Craig Ranson, senior vice president of the Installed Base Business Unit at Framatome, said the program allows students to come out completely debt-free with a job, which is awesome. Framatome is investing $400,000 over four years to relaunch the academy and provide young people with the opportunity to become skilled nuclear technicians.
In addition to servicing existing nuclear reactors around the globe, Framatome’s current projects include building the two European pressurized water reactors for the 3,200-megawatt Hinkley Point C nuclear power station under construction in Somerset, England. The company expects the demand for skilled nuclear technicians to increase to meet U.S. and international energy needs, and the relaunched Nuclear Technology Academy is part of its strategy to meet that demand.
