How to become a commercial nuclear plant operator?

[BenKlesc]

I have a question for anyone on here that has pursued the nuclear energy field. I'm interested in becoming an equipment technician or operator at a nuclear power plant, but I am already 26 years old. I understand that many of the operators and technicians were former Navy nukes. I looked into the college route as far as engineering schools like MIT, and the requirements to be accepted are insane with an incredible amount of advanced calculus courses and advanced chemical engineering courses, along with mic/mac economics.

I've talked to many people in the Navy, and they've told me that you don't have to be a genius when it comes to math and chemistry to service the equipment. I feel like the college route of nuclear engineering is really focused on design and back room implementation instead of physical hands-on labor which is what I would want to do. My question is, is there any educational path to learn how to repair and maintain nuclear reactors, pumps, hydraulics, pneumatics, electronics or becoming an operator on the control panels without joining the military or going to MIT? Do plants still train kids out of high school?

Or, would it be wise in the year 2020 to pursue a college degree?

 

[Dale]

@Astronuc could you offer some advice?

 

[Astronuc]

My question is, is there any educational path to learn how to repair and maintain nuclear reactors, pumps, hydraulics, pneumatics, electronics or becoming an operator on the control panels without joining the military or going to MIT? Do plants still train kids out of high school?

Utilities prefer to hire folks with experience, however they do hire entry level operators. Here are the minimal requirements/qualifications for an entry level position.

Qualifications

REQUIRED!

• HS Diploma/GED
• AND one of the following:
• A Bachelors of Science degree in engineering, engineering technology, or related science program
• OR
• An Associates of Science degree in engineering, engineering technology or related science program or equivalency*

*Equivalency for the Associate of Science degree is established by meeting the criteria below:

• 43 credit hours of post secondary education of which 75% (at least 8 courses or 32 hours) is advanced math, physics, chemistry and/or engineering/engineering technology. Transcripts will be required to verify coursework.
  
  OR
• Documented training and experience applicable to power generation operating experience while a member of the Nuclear Navy program.
  
  OR
• Experience in a non-generating nuclear power facility (e.g. military or DOE facility) may credit 0.5 years for each year of experience.

https://jobs.exeloncorp.com/jobs/54...ering-equipment-operators-limerick-nuclear-pa

If one were accepted to MIT, one would probably be encourage to strive to be an engineer as opposed to a technician. I know a number graduates from MIT, and most have advanced degrees and work in Academia, the major nuclear manufacturers (Framatome, GEH/GNF, Westinghouse, . . . ), national labs, startups, NRC, consulting companies, and maybe a few at utilities.

 

[Vanadium 50]

You should take a look at the NRC licensing requirements for Reactor Operator (RO) - and maybe SRO as well to see what your career path would be.

While you don't have to be licensed when hired - in fact, you usually can't - you want to be as far along as you can towards it. People competing for the same job will be.

 

[anorlunda]

I expect that the qualifications to be an electrician, instrument technician, IT staff, mechanic, security, or a plumber in a nuclear plant are less stringent than being an operator. You may be able to request the notices for open positions at a plant near you.

 

[gmax137]

It has been a few years since I have worked in one of the plants but when I did, the power companies were very interested in hiring people and training them to do the work. Both maintenance work and operations. Pick out some plants and check their websites for open positions. There are several large companies that operate fleets of plants (Entergy and Exelon come to mind); if you start with those you may quickly find where the openings are. You will need to be willing to relocate and they might not pay for that, especially for an entry level position. Many of the plant sites are kind of remote, so the companies like to hire local people who are less likely to move back home after a couple of years.

One thing to watch for is whether the plant is likely to close in a few years. This is more common lately. Do a little research on any prospective plant and see if you can guess what the future holds.

Just a quick story - I worked at one plant where the site vice president (the top guy on site) started with the power company as a "helper" sweeping the floors. He worked his way up to the top. Granted this was back in the 1980s and things have changed. But maybe it shows the view these companies have - they're in it for the long term.