Tech school ready for new nuclear industries
Nathan Wade, principal of the Anderson County Career and Technical Center, talks to Anderson County Board of Education Chairman Scott Gillenwaters after a meeting at the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce. (photo:Ben Pounds )
Among those present was Nathan Wade, principal of the Anderson County Career and Technical Center, a facility near Anderson County High School that serves students in grades nine through 12 from both Anderson County and Clinton high school.
The Anderson County school system plans to expand the program with $936,436 for a new building near Clinton High School.
During the meeting, several speakers emphasized the need for skilled workers in construction, plumbing, welding, and other trades to support nuclear companies in Oak Ridge.
Wade spoke during the meeting—and in an interview afterward—about how the tech school prepares students for these careers.
“We’re set up like an industrial facility for whatever trade it is,” Wade said.
The school includes construction shops, welding and automotive programs, and facilities that mimic real-world industry environments.
It also features a health-sciences area designed to resemble a hospital, and a culinary arts program with an industrial kitchen.
“The classrooms themselves mirror what the industry looks like,” Wade said.
He also discussed the challenge of getting teens to focus on careers.
“There’s a ton of distractions in the world around them,” he said.
Wade noted that many employers in these fields are hesitant to allow students to work at their facilities due to insurance risks, making the training facilities at the school even more crucial.
The meeting also featured remarks from other government officials about preparing the Oak Ridge area for growth in nuclear industries.
Roane County Executive Wade Creswell highlighted key projects, including the Y-12 National Security Complex, Type One Energy at the former Bull Run Fossil Plant site, the Kairos Test Reactor, TVA Small Modular Reactor, and the Orano Project enrichment facility.
Several speakers emphasized the need not only for nuclear engineers but also for workers in trades that support the industry.
“The whole point of this is to put our kids in the best position to compete for the best jobs possible,” Creswell said.
“Wade and I said, ‘We really need to lean in on this with our county schools,’” Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank added, referring to the importance of preparing students for careers in nuclear and related industries.
