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OPERATOR TRAINING Dominion power finding many of its nuclear reactor operators in an unlikely place--high schools Date published: 5/3/2009
By RUSTY DENNEN If Dominion power ever builds a third nuclear reactor at North Anna Power Station, it will need specially trained technicians to operate it. Not so long ago, Dominion and other utilities turned to U.S. Navy veterans with experience on nuclear submarines and ships to fill those high-paying jobs. But now the company is reaping the rewards of an innovative training program that targets promising local high school graduates. "If we do build Unit 3, we'll need reactor operators ready to roll," said Dominion spokesman Richard Zuercher. The North Anna plant sits on Lake Anna's Louisa County shore near Mineral. "We're looking for someone who may not want to go to college, but is strong in math and science," he said. Dominion began its Nuclear Foundations classes at North Anna in 2000. Twenty high school graduates from around the region started; 12 are currently operators at the station. Of those 12, four have received their reactor operator licenses from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Fourteen are still working Since that time, there have been three classes totaling about 50 students in what is now called the Nuclear Control Room Operator Development Program. "The whole objective is to find a new source of operators" outside the Navy, said Christopher McClain, manager of nuclear training at North Anna. As the military increases bonuses and incentives for its nuclear-trained sailors to stay in, and as the competition for others among utilities increases, he says the company needed to change its focus. "We wanted the ability to hire within our own community," McClain said. In the 1980s, Dominion--then Virginia Power--tried unpaid student internships, but wasn't getting enough applicants. Students take a test to qualify. If they're accepted, they take refresher courses in advanced math, nuclear physics, thermodynamics and chemistry, and begin shift work as trainees. After completing a seven-step, 39-month program, they become non-licensed operators, "our eyes and ears in the plant," McClain said. Next is an 18-month program, an in-house test and an exam by the NRC for them to become licensed reactor operators and senior reactor operators, the top job in the control room. Dominion offers financial help for students who eventually want to earn college degrees.
Date published: 5/3/2009
Brian Scott, a senior reactor operator, a shift manager and age 41, did not enroll in a program for high school grads in the year 2000. He is an excellent example of what the training can help high schoolers become, even when it began back in 1985. When the deptartments were at max staffing, the program was suspended, then reinitiated in 2000.
That training launched my career, and many others. It is a tremendous opportunity in a great career field! I cannot overstate the benefits. -Kelly Taylor
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