The newly created Bechtel Nuclear Energy Workforce Development Fund will integrate the company’s seven decades of nuclear expertise into the university’s curriculum. This collaboration focuses on creating experiential learning pathways for students and tradespeople, covering roles from project management to specialized construction. By connecting technical colleges with industry leaders, the program intends to build a robust pipeline capable of supporting South Carolina’s evolving energy sector.

Beyond direct training, the partnership provides foundational support for the college’s proposed Nuclear Innovation Center. This facility is intended to serve as a hub for research, industry collaboration, and workforce development. Dena Volovar, president of Bechtel’s Nuclear, Security & Environmental business, emphasized that meeting current global demand for new nuclear projects requires a workforce trained for safe, efficient execution. The effort complements Bechtel’s ongoing work in nuclear construction, including recent efforts to modernize apprenticeship models through agreements with North America’s Building Trades Unions.