Four Higher Education Institutions Receive Grants for Nuclear Equipment

Students attending graduation. (Photo Courtesy Pexels)

Tennessee’s postsecondary education students wishing to enter the nuclear power industry just got a boost.

The Tennessee Higher Education Committee (THEC) announced in a press release on Monday that it is donating almost $900,000 in Nuclear Equipment Funding (NEF) grants to four higher education institutions. The goal is to increase and expand the number of nuclear education and workforce training programs.

Grant contracts will retroactively begin on April 1 and will last for six months.

“These investments will help ensure Tennessee continues to lead in building a highly skilled workforce ready to meet the demands of the nuclear energy sector,” THEC Executive Director Dr. Steven Gentile said.

The Grants

The THEC credited Governor Bill Lee and the General Assembly for supporting the group’s efforts to strengthen workforce development through increasing access to new training equipment.

These are the institutions that received funding through the new grants:

·       Chattanooga State Community College: $150,000

·       Roane State Community College” $249,847

·       Tennessee Technological University: $250,000

·       University of Tennessee, Knoxville: $249,640

The Tennessee General Assembly created THEC in 1967 as the state’s higher education coordinating body, with the goal of providing building blocks for higher education and opportunities for students to pursue high-quality education and credentials.