SUSTAIN (Supporting Strategic Training of Adaptable and Integrated Nuclear Workforce)

SUSTAIN: Supporting Strategic Training of Adaptable and Integrated Nuclear Workforce Project

SUSTAIN: Supporting Strategic Training of Adaptable and Integrated Nuclear Workforce

Developing a plan to ensure a diverse and skilled pool of nuclear technology and power generation workers in the United States.

WHY NUCLEAR? Understanding the Nuclear Energy Market

History

Since the 1960s, nuclear energy has been a crucial part of the United States' energy generation portfolio, which is primarily driven by large light-water reactors (LLWRs). However, in recent years, there have been significant challenges to the competitiveness of LLWRs in the face of changing market conditions, subsidies, and operating costs. This has resulted in several plant closures, leaving only 93 commercial LWRs in operation as of early 2022.

The Workforce Challenge

Despite these challenges, innovations in reactor technology, manufacturing, and fuels, along with the potential of Small Modular Reactors and Microreactors, hold transformative potential for industrial growth. These advancements can help nuclear power continue to play a vital role in meeting the nation's energy needs while protecting the environment

To capitalize on these opportunities, the nuclear energy sector must maintain a robust, diverse, and skilled workforce. This requires a proactive approach to recruitment, education, training, and retention.  This is especially true given the extended time frames required to build a skilled workforce in the nuclear sector to be on the same order as construction timelines for new reactors.

Program Partners

The collaborating partners of The SUSTAIN Project are University of Nevada, Las Vegas; Morgan State University (MSU); University of Maryland, College Park; NuScale Power; Impact Allies, Inc. and Regional Center for Nuclear Education and Training.

Role of Morgan State University

MSU SUSTAIN provides expertise in K-12 and undergraduate STEM education content to support the professional development of teachers and other educators.   MSU SUSTAIN is also translating insights from the gap analysis into actionable educational content for K-12, community colleges, trade schools, undergraduate, and post-graduate programs. Emphasizing training new workers and re-training those displaced by other sectors. Promoting community awareness of nuclear power benefits and career opportunities.

MSU SUSTAIN is also translating insights from the gap analysis into actionable educational content for K-12, community colleges, trade schools, undergraduate, and post-graduate programs. MSU is also initiating training new workers and re-training those displaced by other sectors through microcrendential courses in nuclear science, radiochemistry and reactor operations. We are also continuing promoting community awareness of nuclear power benefits and career opportunities through the Saturday Academy for K-12 students, Family Involvement Initiative workshops for family members of K-12 students, partnerships in select Elementary, Middle and High Schools and participating in STEAM Expos. Since its inception in 2022 and as of August 2025, MSU SUSTAIN has reached 4500 participants. These numbers include participants from the Saturday Academy, Family Involvement Initiative, In-School Implementation and Outreach activities.