SRNS Aids Plan to Ensure New Jobs and Economic Growth in Area Communities

 

Demand for nuclear employees is rapidly growing as a nuclear renaissance sweeps across the nation

 

Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC is partnering with Augusta Technical College to fill a rapidly growing void for nuclear workers, resulting in qualified candidates for new and existing jobs related to the nuclear industry, fueling area economies.

 

“SRS has largely driven the nuclear economy throughout the greater Aiken-Augusta area for decades,” said Garry Flowers, President & CEO, Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC (SRNS).  “Given the average age of our workforce, we are pleased to work with area colleges to ensure our future needs are met as well, therefore, our efforts to assist Augusta Technical College with their important mission.”

 

Flowers explained that SRNS is donating $10,000 to buy high tech equipment for three new labs at Augusta Technical College (Augusta Tech) that will be used to educate future nuclear workers.

 

The potential impact of the nuclear renaissance on area economies is huge.  South Carolina Electric and Gas has plans for a new commercial power plant, while Plant Vogtle in Waynesboro, Ga., is now in the process of building two new reactor units.

 

“The potential economic growth directly related to future needs at SRS with a high percentage of employees nearing retirement and the nuclear renaissance that will directly impact the CSRA job market is intensive and expansive to say the least,” said Walter Sprouse, Executive Director, Richmond County Economic Development.  “We’re just now seeing the tip of the iceberg.”

 

Augusta Tech College President Terry Elam noted that even though their nuclear technology program is only one year old, it continues to grow.  “This donation for the purchase of equipment allows us to enhance the hands-on learning experience of our students,” said Elam.  “We’re proud to be leaders in efforts to educate students and satisfy the growing demands of area nuclear employers.  We thank our friends at Savannah River Nuclear Solutions for partnering with us to meet this challenge.”

 

Augusta Tech operates under the supervision of The Technical College System of Georgia which oversees 27 colleges throughout the state.  Augusta Technical College offers more than 100 programs of study leading to associate degrees, diplomas and technical certificates of credit.  It also provides business and industry training to area companies either on campus or at the customer’s workplace.  Augusta Tech is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

 

Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC, is a Fluor-Daniel Partnership comprised of Fluor, Newport News Nuclear and Honeywell, responsible for the management and operations of the Department of Energy’s Savannah River Site, including the Savannah River National Laboratory, located near Aiken, South Carolina.

Links to coverage:

http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/metro/2011-07-06/srns-donates-10000-college-s-new-labs

http://www.aikenstandard.com/local/0707-SRNS-Augusta-Tech

http://www.columbiabusinessreport.com/news/40237

http://www2.wjbf.com/news/2011/jul/07/srs-donation-will-help-augusta-technical-college-e-ar-2079815/

http://www.savannahrivernuclearsolutions.com/news/releases/nr11_srns-economic-growth.pdf

 

Garry Flowers, President & CEO, Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC hands replica of equipment to Terry Elam, President of Augusta Tech.