Eighteen educators from seven surrounding counties recently
visited the Savannah River Site’s (SRS) Machining Training Center (MTC) to learn about the
Savannah River Plutonium Processing Facility (SRPPF) and other critical mission scopes that
support the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA).
Machining Training Center (MTC) Operations Manager Andrew Walczak, left, presents electron beam welds to local
educators on their recent tour of the MTC at the Savannah River Site (SRS).
Kim Mitchell, Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS) Education Outreach Lead, highlighted
the importance of partnerships with local educators, especially as SRS aims to hire 9,000
additional employees over the next five years to support mission-related projects.
"Providing these opportunities ensures educators are aware of our workforce needs, career
paths and critical mission scopes while fostering a pipeline of well-trained graduates ready to
enter our workforce," said Mitchell. "This tour showcased cutting-edge technology and the
training provided at the MTC, including walk-throughs of the high bays and various equipment.”
The newly-constructed MTC addresses a critical training need for SRPPF, which supports the
U.S. nuclear stockpile by producing plutonium pits—key components in nuclear weapons—at the
quantities needed to meet military requirements using a two-site strategy with Los Alamos
National Laboratory in New Mexico. MTC operators develop the necessary skills for proficient
machining and welding operations in an unclassified, non-nuclear setting, which helps speed up
the time required to achieve proficiency.
Ross Montgomery, SRPPF
Deputy Facility Manager,
highlighted the benefits of the
MTC. "The MTC provides an
opportunity to train and evaluate
personnel in the use of
equipment, procedures,
software systems, maintenance,
configuration control,
manufacturing reviews, and
operations. These skills are
essential for the success of
SRPPF’s safe and timely
operations, and we are excited
to tour educators who can share
these opportunities with
hundreds of students each
year."
Attendees learned about the in-demand skills SRS is seeking, including a strong foundation in
STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) disciplines, and the training approach for
new hires supporting SRPPF.
“We call it the ‘crawl, walk, and run approach’,” said Andrew Walczak, MTC Operations
Manager.
“This training strategy allows specialists to get their feet wet in a non-radioactive
environment where errors are more manageable and safer.
”
Upon graduating from the MTC, specialists will transition into the High-Fidelity Training and
Operations Center (HFTOC), where they will learn to navigate physical restrictions and gain
experience with simulated radiological controls and errors. Finally, fully-qualified operators will
move to the SRPPF Main Process Building, where they will handle the product in its final form,
governed by controls and restrictions.
“Our specialists will learn the process and controls in a graded approach prior to reaching that
final ‘run’ stage,” Walczak continued. “They will be fully prepared to operate the equipment in a
Haley Ramsey, SRNS Shift Operations Manager, right, and Walczak, second
from right, give an overview of the tensile tester to attending educators. The
test is used to assess how a material behaves under stress.
compliant and safe manner, ensuring the successful delivery of our most critical mission
objectives.
”
Tonya Bryant, Head of South Aiken Baptist Christian School, was impressed by this strategy.
"My first impression is that the SRPPF project represents a 'new chapter' of the SRS story. The
training facility’s hands-on learning approach will be beneficial for my students because, as time
goes on, they will have managers who are fully trained from the ground up. I also find it
beneficial that new hires at SRS will be completely trained on the job; this is a huge advantage
that I can share with prospective students."
Mary Beth Avent, Principal and Guidance Adviser at Town Creek Christian Academy, echoed
this sentiment. "The new MTC is truly impressive. The three-phase training strategy is brilliantly
designed, and having the first trainees become the first trainers is a logical and effective
approach. The emphasis on teamwork and collaborative learning to establish the right
procedures is exactly what we, as educators, highly value."
Tashika Ivery, Belair Middle School and Patience Russell,
Tall Pines STEM Academy, observe a high-precision lathe
used for carefully disassembling welding components.
Ivery examines the 5-axis mill in the MTC, which can
produce complex and intricate parts with enhanced
precision and efficiency.
Attendees also gained a new perspective on SRS’s rich history and insight into past, present and
future missions during a Site driving tour. "I was particularly impressed with two aspects of the
driving tour. In terms of the environment, the Site’s ongoing mission to clean up nuclear waste
prioritizes the safety of workers and the community while supporting national interests,” Avent
noted.
“SRS also continues to safeguard nuclear materials from falling into the hands of non-
friendly forces, which was a recurring theme throughout my visit.”
The visit concluded with educators gaining a thorough understanding of the wide range of career
opportunities for new graduates, including positions in engineering, project management,
environmental science, safety and health, and information technology.
"For students interested in pursuing careers in nuclear industry, I advise focusing on a strong
foundation in STEM disciplines, staying informed about the latest developments in nuclear
technology and policy, gaining practical experience through internships, and building a network
of professional contacts in the industry," concluded Mitchell. "Additionally, developing a
commitment to safety, security and regulatory compliance is essential for success at SRS. Each
educator will take this information back to the classroom to inspire students to explore what we
have to offer."