SRNS Registered Apprenticeship Program Grows to Include More Careers at SRS
Tuesday, March 16th, 2021
High school and college graduates, and unemployed and underem- ployed adults are taking charge of their future careers through the Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS) Registered Apprenticeship Program at the Savannah River Site (SRS).
Seven paid apprentice profiles have been registered with the Department of Labor: Facility/Production Operators, Software Engineers, Records Management Clerks, Process Software Engineers, Systems Engineers, Computer Systems Support and Maintenance Mechanics.
“We have several important missions to fulfill, involving the protection of our nation and the cleanup of Cold War-era waste sites, as the management and operations contractor at SRS,” said Sean Alford, SRNS Executive Vice President and Chief of Administration. “And, we have a need to fill a wide range of job pipe- lines with enthusiastic candidates, to
safely and securely accomplish all of
this for the Department of Energy.”
According to Alford, since SRNS em- ploys more than nearly 7,000 work- ers, the company needs a vast range of candidates and job skills.
“We have six more apprentice profiles in the works, to include: Electrical and Instrumentation Mechanics; Project Controls per- sonnel; Fire Protection Engineers; Radcon Inspectors; Supply Chain Management Resource employees; and Associate Chemical Management Center Analysts,” said Janessa Smith, SRNS Talent Management. “And the list is growing.”
Savannah River Nuclear Solutions Senior Training Instructor David Jackson observes as a team of Nuclear Production Operator Apprentices practice work typical of their future job responsibilities as potential full-service employees at the Savannah River Site.
“Without a doubt, the credentials you earn as a registered apprentice are invaluable,” said Smith. “In fact, depending on the profile you pursue, you can be accepted into our program with zero experience. We will provide all the training you need. At which point, you now own a portable credential proving you can do the work for any company needing that skillset,” she added.
As an example, Smith mentioned the apprentice profile for Maintenance Mechanics. For this ap- prenticeship, no previous experience or training is required. These positions can be found (beginning March 16) by visiting BrassRing on the SRNS website: www.savannahrivernuclearsolutions.com, select the “Careers” tab, then click “Apply Now” to be directed to the BrassRing portal.
Openings for all apprenticeship positions at SRNS can be found and applied for at this location as they become available.
An SRNS apprentice enjoys several advantages at SRS. In addition to being paid, apprentices gain job experience, network to obtain references and have an opportunity to test drive an occupation of- fered by SRNS.
“It’s not unusual for us to offer full-time jobs to apprentices, upon completion—or even before—they complete the program,” said Smith. “We’ve recently modified company policy to make this possible.”
According to Smith, typically, most apprentices work while obtaining an occupation certificate or degree from a local technical college or university. In some instances, high school students may qualify for the apprenticeship program.
“To ensure the development of a viable workforce in our community, we aspire to establish 300 Registered Apprenticeships throughout organizations in the following counties by Oct. 1, 2021: Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Edgefield and Orangeburg,” said Alford. “SRNS has committed to ensur- ing one third of these apprenticeships will be at SRS.
“We’re working closely with Apprenticeship Carolina and the Lower Savannah Council of Governments as well to make this a reality. Together, we will be the first to step forward and champion the conduit of ap- prenticeships to endorse an employment solution with local, regional, state and national impact.”
