Stony Brook secures $945,000 for nuclear workforce training

Stony Brook University will receive $945,000 from the New York Power Authority (NYPA) to train workers for the state's growing nuclear energy sector. The university is one of six programs in New York State selected to share a total of $10 million in funding. The money is designed to prepare New Yorkers for careers in an emerging industry that aims to increase reliable, emissions-free nuclear capacity to more than 8 gigawatts.

Governor Kathy Hochul announced the awards on September 29. The NYPA Board of Trustees approved the funding to provide hands-on technical training and career pathways. Hochul stated that advanced nuclear is a cornerstone of her strategy to keep electricity costs low and lights on. She said the investment ensures the state's nuclear future is built by New Yorkers and complements existing wind and solar efforts.

Stony Brook will use its share of the funds to train students in three specific areas: nuclear-aligned welding, HVAC/R certification, and radiation work. The program will also include four paid internships at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL). The university is partnering with Suffolk County Community College and BNL to implement this three-track initiative.

The Post-Irradiation Examination And Research Lab (PEARL) at Stony Brook will oversee the radiation practicum. The lab is led by College of Engineering and Applied Sciences faculty members Lance Snead and David Sprouster, along with Michelle Kehoe from Radiation Safety. This group will teach the basics of radiation safety, instrumentation, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to 36 students. Half of these participants will be Stony Brook students.

Following the initial training, four students will be selected for fully paid summer internships at BNL. These interns will shadow professionals in the Radiological Control Division. This fieldwork experience is intended to prepare them for future careers as radiological control technicians.

Mónica Bugallo, the interim vice president for research and innovation and a professor of electrical and computer engineering at Stony Brook, emphasized the facility's infrastructure. She noted that the real innovation lies in how the facility provides immersive, hands-on learning. Bugallo said the program brings together faculty expertise and workforce development professionals to create practical, real-world training.

Ed Bonahue, president of Suffolk County Community College, described the partnership as a commitment to creating career pathways for students. He said that developing a skilled workforce is essential as New York expands its nuclear energy infrastructure. The specialized training in HVAC and welding provides students with the technical skills and credentials needed for the industry.

The PEARL lab previously secured a $4 million congressionally directed spending award earlier this year. This funding supported critical energy security research and was matched by the Office for Research and Innovation. Derek O’Connor, a senior manager for workforce development at Stony Brook, noted that Long Island has an R1 University, a community college, and a national laboratory all within a 30-mile radius. He said this concentration of expertise is critical for creating effective workforce programming.

Aleida Perez, manager of Workforce Development and Science Education at BNL, said the internships allow students to apply classroom knowledge in a working national laboratory environment. She described these hands-on experiences as essential for preparing the skilled workforce needed by New York and the nation. Perez thanked the NYPA for investing in these students and the partnerships that make such opportunities possible.

The $10 million in awards is part of the NextGen Nuclear New York program. This initiative aims to develop a skilled, in-state nuclear workforce through coordinated education and training. The awards are the latest action by the Power Authority to support its goal of developing at least 1 GW of advanced, emissions-free nuclear energy in Upstate New York. In the past year, the NYPA has committed $40 million to build this advanced nuclear workforce. Other recipients of the funding include Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Jamestown Community College, SUNY Syracuse Educational Opportunity Center, the Manufacturers Talent Institute, and the Workforce Development Institute & New York State Building & Construction Trades Council.