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Tennessee Nuclear Network / Workforce
Ready
to work.
Many paths.
One nuclear ecosystem.
Explore the education, training and industry connections preparing Tennessee’s nuclear workforce—from a student’s first discovery to advanced research and professional experience.
Education. Training. Industry.
A connected talent network
People power
the entire ecosystem.
Tennessee’s nuclear industry draws on much more than nuclear engineering. Schools, colleges, universities, laboratories and employers develop the skills needed across the industry.
TN² connects these efforts so learners can find opportunities, educators can connect with partners, and employers can see the talent pathways supporting Tennessee’s growth.
Power &
reactor technology
Engineering, operations, controls and maintenance
Fuel &
manufacturing
Machining, chemistry, fabrication and quality
Medicine &
isotopes
Radiochemistry, imaging and research
Security &
environment
Radiation protection, cleanup and technical expertise
These are examples of the skills that support the ecosystem. Individual programs define their own curriculum and entry requirements.
Explore the pathways
There’s more than
one way in.
Discover how different kinds of learning connect with nuclear. Select a pathway to explore its role and partner resources.
K–12
Discover what’s possible.
Nuclear careers begin with curiosity. STEM learning, career exploration and early college experiences help students connect classroom concepts with energy, national security and medicine.
Explore these resourcesBuild awareness
Science foundations · STEM exploration · Career discovery
Partners to explore
Skilled trades
Build the skills that build nuclear.
Welders, electricians, machinists and maintenance professionals help build, operate and maintain the nuclear ecosystem. Technical training and apprenticeships create routes into these essential occupations.
Explore these resourcesBuild practical skills
Construction · Manufacturing · Facility maintenance
Partners to explore
Technical colleges
Turn technical knowledge into capability.
Community college programs connect applied science with nuclear operations, laboratory work and radiation protection. Supporting programs in controls, mechatronics, cyber defense and project management contribute to the same industry.
Explore these resourcesBuild technical capability
Nuclear operations · Laboratory work · Radiation protection
Partners to explore
Universities & research
Advance the science. Shape the future.
University education and research develop expertise in reactor technology, materials, nuclear medicine and related disciplines. Tennessee’s universities connect students with laboratories, research and industry.
Explore these resourcesBuild advanced expertise
Reactor engineering · Research · Nuclear medicine
Partners to explore
Experience & careers
Connect learning with industry.
Internships, fellowships, employer training and professional development help people apply their skills and continue learning. Explore career resources and real examples of education shaped by nuclear industry needs.
Explore these resourcesBuild experience
Internships · Employer training · Professional development
Partners to explore
The bigger picture
ORAU’s Nuclear Energy Academic Roadmap connects K–12 learning, technical education, universities and professional development.
Find your connection
The education &
workforce network.
Find programs, institutions and resources by pathway or region. Each entry connects you directly to the organization responsible for current program details.
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Nuclear engineering
Study nuclear engineering in a department with established ties to Oak Ridge research and industry.
East Tennessee
Explore resource from University of Tennessee, Knoxville (opens in a new tab)Tennessee Tech University
B.S. in Nuclear Engineering
A nuclear engineering degree covering reactor design, radiation protection and nuclear materials.
Middle Tennessee
Explore resource from Tennessee Tech University (opens in a new tab)Chattanooga State Community College
Nuclear Power Engineering Technology
Explore technical education for nuclear power, radiation protection and related industry work.
East Tennessee
Explore resource from Chattanooga State Community College (opens in a new tab)Roane State Community College
Nuclear Technology A.A.S.
Explore an associate degree focused on the technical skills used in the nuclear industry.
East Tennessee
Explore resource from Roane State Community College (opens in a new tab)Pellissippi State Community College
Chemical Radiation Technology
An A.A.S. pathway in General Technology preparing students for laboratory and operations technical positions.
East Tennessee
Explore resource from Pellissippi State Community College (opens in a new tab)Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology
Skilled trades across Tennessee
Find training in welding, machining, electrical maintenance, construction and other trades that support nuclear facilities.
Statewide
Explore resource from Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (opens in a new tab)Apprenticeship Tennessee
Paid experience + classroom learning
Find registered apprenticeship resources for job seekers and employers across the state.
Statewide
Explore resource from Apprenticeship Tennessee (opens in a new tab)Governor’s School at UT Knoxville
Nuclear engineering for high school students
Explore nuclear science, energy, security and medicine through a precollege nuclear engineering course.
East Tennessee
Explore resource from Governor’s School at UT Knoxville (opens in a new tab)Nuclear Works
Explore careers in nuclear
Explore the range of nuclear careers and the education and experience associated with different roles.
National resource
Explore resource from Nuclear Works (opens in a new tab)Tennessee Board of Regents
Work in Nuclear
Connect with community colleges and TCATs offering nuclear and supporting technical programs.
Statewide
Explore resource from Tennessee Board of Regents (opens in a new tab)ORAU Nuclear Energy Academic Roadmap
Connect the education pathway
Explore a roadmap spanning K–12, vocational and technical education, universities and professional development.
National resource
Explore resource from ORAU Nuclear Energy Academic Roadmap (opens in a new tab)ORAU STEM Accelerator
Education and workforce partnerships
Explore STEM education and workforce development resources connecting educators, learners and industry.
East Tennessee / statewide
Explore resource from ORAU STEM Accelerator (opens in a new tab)UT–Oak Ridge Innovation Institute
Research, graduate education and talent
Explore graduate education, research and talent development connecting the University of Tennessee and ORNL.
East Tennessee
Explore resource from UT–Oak Ridge Innovation Institute (opens in a new tab)UT–ORII STEMOVATE
Resources for Tennessee educators
Explore a program supporting STEM educators and connections with research and technology.
Statewide
Explore resource from UT–ORII STEMOVATE (opens in a new tab)Tennessee Department of Education
STEM and STEAM education
Find state education resources supporting science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics.
Statewide
Explore resource from Tennessee Department of Education (opens in a new tab)Tennessee Department of Education
Energy and Sustainable Resources
Explore the high school career cluster connecting energy concepts with career and technical education.
Statewide
Explore resource from Tennessee Department of Education (opens in a new tab)Oak Ridge Schools
STEM learning in the Oak Ridge community
Explore local schools and educational opportunities in the heart of the Oak Ridge nuclear ecosystem.
East Tennessee
Explore resource from Oak Ridge Schools (opens in a new tab)Roane State Middle College
An early start on college
Explore an opportunity for students to earn college credit while completing high school.
East Tennessee
Explore resource from Roane State Middle College (opens in a new tab)Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nuclear medicine research and training
Explore nuclear medicine and PET/CT research opportunities within radiology training.
Middle Tennessee
Explore resource from Vanderbilt University Medical Center (opens in a new tab)Tennessee State University
Engineering and supporting disciplines
Explore university education in engineering, science and other disciplines that contribute to a technical workforce.
Middle Tennessee
Explore resource from Tennessee State University (opens in a new tab)Tennessee Higher Education Commission
Colleges and universities by region
Find public and private higher education institutions in East, Middle and West Tennessee.
Statewide
Explore resource from Tennessee Higher Education Commission (opens in a new tab)ORISE
STEM internships and fellowships
Find internship, fellowship and research participation opportunities across STEM fields.
National resource
Explore resource from ORISE (opens in a new tab)Kairos Power + UT Knoxville
Operator training simulator partnership
Learn how an operator training simulator connects advanced reactor workforce needs with university education.
East Tennessee
Explore resource from Kairos Power + UT Knoxville (opens in a new tab)Tennessee Valley Authority
Careers and training opportunities
Explore TVA career paths and periodically offered training opportunities.
Statewide
Explore resource from Tennessee Valley Authority (opens in a new tab)UCOR
Employment and early career opportunities
Explore career opportunities with an employer supporting environmental cleanup in Oak Ridge.
East Tennessee
Explore resource from UCOR (opens in a new tab)Oak Ridge Electrical JATC
Electrical apprenticeship training
Explore electrical training and apprenticeship information in the Oak Ridge region.
East Tennessee
Explore resource from Oak Ridge Electrical JATC (opens in a new tab)American Nuclear Society
Nuclear science in the classroom
Find classroom resources for teaching nuclear science and technology.
National resource
Explore resource from American Nuclear Society (opens in a new tab)Tennessee STEM Innovation Network
K–2 nuclear energy training
Explore nuclear energy training resources designed for early elementary educators.
Statewide
Explore resource from Tennessee STEM Innovation Network (opens in a new tab)National Energy Education Development
Energy education resources
Explore energy education materials and professional development for educators.
National resource
Explore resource from National Energy Education Development (opens in a new tab)American Museum of Science and Energy
Hands-on science education
Explore education programs and learning experiences in Oak Ridge.
East Tennessee
Explore resource from American Museum of Science and Energy (opens in a new tab)ORAU Museum of Radiation and Radioactivity
Explore the history of nuclear science
Explore educational collections about radiation, radioactivity and their applications.
East Tennessee
Explore resource from ORAU Museum of Radiation and Radioactivity (opens in a new tab)North American Young Generation in Nuclear
Professional community and outreach
Explore professional development and outreach across the nuclear community.
National resource
Explore resource from North American Young Generation in Nuclear (opens in a new tab)U.S. Women in Nuclear
Professional development and community
Explore networking, education and career development within the nuclear industry.
National resource
Explore resource from U.S. Women in Nuclear (opens in a new tab)Tennessee Board of Regents Institutions
Find a community college or TCAT
Browse the statewide directory of community colleges and colleges of applied technology.
Statewide
Explore resource from Tennessee Board of Regents Institutions (opens in a new tab)L&N STEM Academy
STEM-focused high school education
Explore a public magnet high school in Knoxville with STEM-focused education and university connections.
East Tennessee
Explore resource from L&N STEM Academy (opens in a new tab)Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Education and workforce opportunities
Explore educational programs, internships and research pathways at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
East Tennessee
Explore resource from Oak Ridge National Laboratory (opens in a new tab)Tennessee Promise
College access for eligible high school graduates
Explore eligibility and application information for Tennessee Promise.
Statewide
Explore resource from Tennessee Promise (opens in a new tab)Tennessee Reconnect
College access for adult learners
Explore Tennessee Reconnect resources for adults returning to college or pursuing a credential.
Statewide
Explore resource from Tennessee Reconnect (opens in a new tab)HireUp Knox
Regional career connections
Explore career resources and employer connections in the Knoxville region.
East Tennessee
Explore resource from HireUp Knox (opens in a new tab)No matching resources.
Try a broader search or clear your filters to explore the full network.
This directory is a selected starting point. Some entries provide nuclear programs; others provide supporting education, outreach or career resources. Program availability and eligibility are set by each provider.
See the connections
Education meets
industry. Statewide.
Explore Tennessee’s training locations alongside its nuclear industry network. Use the college view to find education partners and the TN² view to discover the broader ecosystem.
Colleges. TCATs. Teaching locations.
A statewide network
of opportunity.
Explore Tennessee’s community and technical colleges, then use the program directory to find the right connection.
Explore campus programs (opens in a new tab)Source: Tennessee Board of Regents. Nuclear programs and supporting trades are offered at selected campuses.
Research. Industry. Education.
Find your place
in the ecosystem.
Explore nuclear companies and the sectors they support across Tennessee.
Explore the industry network (opens in a new tab)Source: Tennessee Nuclear Network. Organization locations do not indicate current job openings.
Data that informs action
Understand the demand.
Strengthen the pipeline.
ORAU / October 2026
East Tennessee Nuclear
Workforce Demand Assessment
ORAU’s assessment examines workforce needs among companies involved in East Tennessee’s nuclear expansion. It identifies potential shortages and the importance of partnerships among employers, education and workforce organizations.
Based on interviews with 14 companies. These findings describe the surveyed employers and are not a census of the full statewide nuclear industry.
Read the full assessment (opens in a new tab)Among surveyed companies
- Approximate current workforce
- 17,000
- Projected peak workforce by 2032
- 21,000
Projections depend on project timing and the conditions described in the study.
NOW Conference / August 5, 2026
Workforce demand
presentation
The ORAU–Deloitte presentation shared at NOW. Explore the conference materials alongside the full October assessment.
Request the presentationTN² K–12 Committee
Building the
early talent pipeline
A workforce flyer for educators and community partners introducing Tennessee’s K–12 nuclear education efforts.
Request the workforce flyerORAU / National resource
Nuclear Energy
Academic Roadmap
Explore the connections from early education to professional development and the resources supporting nuclear careers.
Explore the roadmap (opens in a new tab)Discover the possibilities
A nuclear career
can start with you.
Nuclear needs technicians, tradespeople, engineers, scientists and professionals across many disciplines. Explore the work, then find the education and experience that connect with your goals.
Many skills. Shared opportunity.
Build & maintain Operate & protect Research & innovate Lead & supportKeep the network connected
Have a program
to share?
Help learners and employers discover education, training and outreach across Tennessee. Share a resource, suggest an update, or connect with TN² about a workforce partnership.
Connect with TN²Resources reviewed October 13, 2026. Refer to each provider for current availability.