Strategic workforce pathways begin with intentional training and early exposure. At Day & Zimmerman, partnerships with FastForward and Virginia’s Community Colleges are ensuring young professionals with a passion for the nuclear industry have a direct route to success.
As fleet director for Day & Zimmerman, Eugene Thompson sees how the specialized programs offered through Virginia’s Community Colleges, like the Nuclear Worker Training Program, foster the environment students need to thrive in their future careers. By bridging the gap between the classroom and the field, Thompson helps cultivate a pipeline of talent ready to meet the rigorous demands of the energy sector.
Bridging the Skills Gap
For Thompson, collaboration between industry leaders and community colleges is essential to empowering the next generation. Day & Zimmerman supports this mission by providing students with hands-on experience and training programs specifically designed to prepare them for the complexities of work in nuclear plants.
“When you work in nuclear, it’s a new language,” said Thompson. “You have to learn about being a radiation worker.”
Breaking down barriers to entry, the program provides students with the knowledge they need to make headway in not only the nuclear field, but also related fields, he said.
Strengthening Community Connections
Thompson believes that Virginia’s Community Colleges are essential in helping Day & Zimmerman connect with the local talent pool. By serving as a direct pipeline, the colleges allow the company to reach individuals eager for high-quality workforce training.
“The community college system allows us to work with underserved and underemployed people in the community,” Thompson said, “as well as outreach to high schools.”
The Future of Nuclear Career Pathways
Long-term industry stability is creating unprecedented opportunities for the next generation of Virginians. Thompson notes that with nuclear site license renewals extending operations into 2050 and 2060, there is a sustained need for a skilled workforce to maintain and modernize aging infrastructure.
“What’s exciting about Virginia is the license renewal at our nuclear sites,” Thompson said. “All that means a lot of work on those infrastructures and aging plants to get them up and running. That increase in project work also means an increase in wages.”
Through the Nuclear Worker Training Program, students can transition into lucrative careers that offer both immediate employment and long-term growth. Thompson encourages students to take advantage of these specialized pathways to secure their place in the future of Virginia’s energy sector.
Learn more about training programs here.