USC, state leaders align to build nuclear workforce, advance energy economy

State leaders, industry executives, and academic partners gathered at the University of South Carolina’s Pastides Alumni Center to discuss the ongoing Nuclear Workforce and Economic Impact Initiative, a statewide effort led by USC’s Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing to position South Carolina as a national model for nuclear energy deployment, workforce development, and advanced technology innovation.

“As the state’s flagship research institution, the University of South Carolina is committed to preparing the workforce and advancing the innovation needed to support both our state and the nation’s nuclear future,” said USC President Michael Amiridis.

Leaders emphasized that the initiative establishes a coordinated, statewide platform to align education, workforce training, and industry needs, ensuring South Carolina is positioned to meet rising demand driven by new nuclear deployment, advanced manufacturing, and emerging technologies. Supporters also touted the possible revitalization of the V.C. Summer Nuclear Station project in Fairfield County to bring much-needed energy to the state while providing a significant economic boost to the region.

“Through this initiative, USC is building a national model that integrates education, research, and industry collaboration to meet the demands of a rapidly growing nuclear sector,” said Dean Hossein Haj-Hariri of USC’s Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing.

USC, home to the state’s only master’s and doctoral programs in nuclear engineering, has led nuclear research projects sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, the Office of Naval Research, Westinghouse, General Atomics, NASA, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Other recent nuclear initiatives at USC include:

• Partnering with the South Carolina Technical College System to align training pathways and credential programs to build a scalable, job-ready workforce across nuclear engineering, technicians, digital systems, and advanced manufacturing. The program will allow students to earn specialized associate degrees, take advantage of internship opportunities and gain exposure to industry aligned training and research. Students also will have a pathway to enroll in a nuclear engineering program at USC following their associate’s degree completion.
• Partnering with Antares Nuclear to explore the development of a microreactor located at Fort Jackson. The project aligns with an executive order calling for the deployment of a nuclear reactor at a domestic military base by 2028 to ensure energy resiliency. The microreactor would offer USC students and faculty ongoing research and training opportunities.
• Partnering with the Nuclear Company to pursue a wide range of nuclear energy innovation, including advanced manufacturing, digital twin modeling, and workforce readiness initiatives.