NC South Carolina Times

Clinton College issued the following announcement on December 6.

Rock Hill, SC -- The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) awarded $7 million for workforce development and training supporting plutonium pit production to minority-serving educational institutions in New Mexico and South Carolina. NNSA provided $3.5 million for partnerships in each state to be distributed among selected institutions, including historically black colleges and universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, and tribal colleges and universities.

“NNSA is dedicated to building a diverse capable workforce, and these partnerships ensure a diverse pipeline of talented next-generation professionals who will help us meet our current and future pit production goals,” said NNSA Administrator Jill Hruby.

“Clinton College is proud to partner with NNSA and Savannah River in its mission to create a more diverse workforce,” said Dr. Lester McCorn, President of Clinton College. “This grant will help Clinton enhance its work program in efforts of becoming a federally designated work college while preparing students for work in the business services area.”

Some of the funds will be used to purchase equipment and supplies like those used at Los Alamos National Laboratory and Savannah River Site to train those pursuing careers within the Nuclear Security Enterprise. “The grant will help bolster existing STEM and trade programs and facilitate the development of new course content to educate students and better prepare the incoming workforce,” said Robert Haldeman, Director of NNSA’s Plutonium Program Office.

New Mexico MSIs:

• Central New Mexico Community College
• Clovis Community College
• Luna Community College
• Navajo Technical University
• New Mexico Highlands University
• New Mexico State University
• Northern New Mexico College
• San Juan College
• Santa Fe Community College
• University of New Mexico

South Carolina MSIs:

• Allen University
• Benedict College
• Claflin University
• Clinton College
• Denmark Technical College
• Morris College
• South Carolina State University
• Vorhees College

“I was pleased to have worked with the National Nuclear Security Administration at the Department of Energy to make funding available to all eight historically black colleges and universities in South Carolina,” said Rep. James E. Clyburn. “Partnerships and investments like these are essential in order to create a future workforce that is not only skilled but reflects the diversity of America and ensures workers’ access to good-paying jobs.”

“It is exciting to see these funds directed towards fulfilling a critical and diverse workforce channel that supports new missions at the Savannah River Site. I appreciate the National Nuclear Security Administration, in partnership with the Savannah River Site Community Reuse Organization, recognizing the talent in our region and investing these dollars to support good-paying jobs for decades to come,” said Rep. Joe Wilson.

The New Mexico Academic Consortium will administer funding awards for the program in the state and the Savannah River Site Community Reuse Organization (SRSCRO) will manage the grant in South Carolina. The SRSCRO also manages the Workforce Opportunities in Regional Careers grant program supported by NNSA and administered through DOE’s Environmental Management Consolidated Business Center.

Original source can be found here.