18 Nuclear Systems Technology Students Earn Industry’s Highest Standards

“This is a pipeline that will continue to need to be replenished.” Kevin Marsh, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, SCANA Corporation

COLUMBIA, SC – Eighteen Midlands Technical College (MTC) Nuclear Systems Technology students earned the Nuclear Uniform Curriculum Program (NUCP) Certificate at a ceremony on the Northeast Campus on April 8, 2015.  The Nuclear Systems Technology program allows students to train to become nuclear operators at the V.C. Summer Nuclear Station in Fairfield County or other nuclear plants around the country.

“This is a proud day for our students in this program,” said MTC Dr. President Ronald L. Rhames.  “But without the shared vision between MTC and SCANA, this day and this program would not be possible.”

The Nuclear Systems Technology program was created at the request of South Carolina Electric & Gas Company to supply the company’s expansion of the V.C. Summer Nuclear Station with qualified nuclear technicians.  Marsh said one challenge they knew they would be recruiting talent to run the station.

“Midlands Technical College has a reputation of having some of the best programs in the country,” said Kevin Marsh, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, SCANA Corporation Marsh.  “It made sense for us to develop talent locally, that’s when we partnered with MTC to develop the program.”

MTC’s Nuclear Systems Technology program covers the fundamentals of nuclear power systems including nuclear plant components, radiological protection, reactor theory, and nuclear plant chemistry. Students earn a two-year associate degree from MTC with a strong emphasis in Mechanical Engineering Technology and Nuclear Operations, and qualified graduates have the opportunity to complete their training at the V.C. Summer Nuclear Station. It is the only program of its kind in South Carolina.

The expansion of the V.C. Summer facilities is expected to require 15 new nuclear operators per year through 2017. In addition, projected retirements among the current local nuclear power workforce could require up to 15 new operators each year.

“This is a pipeline that will need to be replenished,” said Marsh.

The NUCP, a program of the Nuclear Energy Institute, is a framework for educating and developing operators and technicians at the industry’s highest standards for nuclear power plants around the country. It is an industry-recognized certificate that is given only to high-ranking students in MTC’s Nuclear Systems Technology program. The certificates are in addition to any academic degrees, certificates or diplomas students may earn.

About Midlands Technical College

Midlands Technical College (MTC) is a comprehensive, multi-campus, public, two-year college serving Richland, Lexington and Fairfield counties of South Carolina. The fifth-largest provider of higher education in South Carolina and the largest provider of transfer students to four-year colleges and universities in the state, MTC enrolls approximately 18,000 credit students annually. The college’s Corporate and Continuing Education program, one of the largest and most comprehensive in the Southeast, annually has 30,000 enrollments and provides continuing education to hundreds of area businesses each year. MIDLANDSTECH.EDU