SRS Apprenticeship School Welcomes Students to Inaugural Program

Savannah River Site youth apprentices gather for a meet-and-greet with Savannah River Nuclear Solutions President and CEO Dennis Carr.

AIKEN, S.C. - The Savannah River Site (SRS) has welcomed six high school students from the area to participate in the inaugural Youth Apprenticeship program.

Following a successful pilot program in 2022, the program has expanded, providing more students with opportunities to gain early professional development experience. It's operated by U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management contractor Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS).

The two-year program enables rising high school juniors and seniors to complete on-the-job training within departments across the site, including information technology (IT), fire protection and site training. Upon completing the program, they earn a certificate recognizing them as a youth apprentice from the U.S. Department of Labor. They're allowed to continue the program for up to a year after graduation, and then have the option to transfer to the adult Apprenticeship Program.

"We are thrilled to announce a partnership between Aiken County Public School District Career and Technical Education Department and Savannah River Nuclear Solutions to launch an IT and EMS Apprenticeship Program," Kenneth O. Lott, the district's Career and Technical Education director and principal of Aiken County Career Center, said of the Emergency Medical Services Apprenticeship Program. "Students from North Augusta High School's Dell Tech Crew and Aiken County Career and Technology Center's EMS Pathway will gain hands-on training and the skills needed to excel in today's evolving workforce, bridging the gap between education and industry."

Savannah River Site youth apprentices pose for a photo with their employers in information technology (IT), site training and the Savannah River Site Fire Department. Pictured from left: Jacob Lott and Alejandro Aguirre Jr., IT apprentices; Elisabeth Corley and Labria Jacobs, records management clerk apprentices; and Reagan Plummer and Andrew Hill Jr., emergency medical technician apprentices.

BooBoo Roberts, SRS Apprenticeship School Program manager, said the Youth Apprenticeship program is a unique opportunity for students to gain professional work experience while still in school.

"We interview candidates from all over the Central Savannah River Area, treating this just like any other job application process," Roberts said. "Our hope is that this program provides an invaluable experience that prepares students earlier for the workforce while still focusing on their education."

Considered limited-service employees, youth apprentices are able to earn a wage and learn valuable professional skills while attending school. Students work part time around their studies but can work full time during school breaks. Depending on their high school, some students are also able to earn work-based learning credit to go towards their diploma.

"It is important for us to intersect the workforce pipeline at three strategic junctures: engaging the unemployed, engaging the underemployed and engaging those who enter the workforce for the first time," SRNS Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer Sean Alford said. "Youth apprenticeships are measurable and highly productive avenues for companies to engage those who are entering the workforce for the first time."

Asked about his time as a youth apprentice, pilot program graduate Drew Platts said it was an excellent experience that helped shape the career path he wanted to take after finishing high school.

"The apprenticeship training team taught me the process the site uses to keep a steady pipeline of employees to fulfill the needs and keep the site operating safely," Platts said.

Upon graduating high school, Platts was hired as a full-time operator at the Savannah River National Laboratory, where after eight months of training, he received his certificate in nuclear fundamentals and is in the process of obtaining his full facility qualifications.

Current SRNS Records Management Clerk Youth Apprentice Labria Jacobs discovered the program through LinkedIn and decided to apply to expand her horizons and learn about different career opportunities.

"I am greatly enjoying my time here at SRNS," said Jacobs. "Coming through the barricade, the vast size of the site and number of employees who work here was very surprising to me. The safety culture is unlike anything I've ever seen before."

To participate in the Youth Apprenticeship program, students must first obtain permission from a parent or guardian and consent to undergo a background check. Students are also not allowed to perform radiological work or handle sensitive nuclear information.

To qualify for the Youth Apprenticeship program, students must meet the following criteria:

• 16 years of age or older;
• U.S. citizen;
• Junior or senior in high school, on track to completing a diploma;
• A valid state driver's license;
• Personal reliable transportation;
• Ability to work part time during the day from Monday through Thursday; and
• Successful completion of SRS General Employee Training and substance abuse processing.

Click here for more information about programs offered through the SRS Apprenticeship School.

-Contributor: Fallan Flatow