Roane State Community College

October 20, 2025

Editor's Note: This announcement was first published by the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) on October 16, 2025. The article appearing here has been edited from its original version.

The College System of Tennessee has announced a Nuclear Workforce Summit will be held on October 28, 2025, on the Oak Ridge Campus of Roane State Community College. This event will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET and will provide an opportunity for attendees to learn more about the ongoing nuclear renaissance in Tennessee.

“The development of a robust nuclear workforce to fill the highly skilled jobs available in our state is essential in solidifying Tennessee’s status as a national nuclear industry leader,” said Chancellor Flora W. Tydings. “Our Nuclear Workforce Summit, in partnership with Roane State Community College, will help identify opportunities and resources to prioritize workforce development in this specialized industry sector. This will ensure we are prepared to address immediate, emerging and long-term needs of nuclear companies looking to establish their operations here.”

Attendees will hear from industry leaders during a panel discussion at the event. They will also learn more about industry issues, including how nuclear energy organizational structures impact workforce planning, artificial intelligence and its role in the industry and current College System programs in place to enhance workforce development in this emerging sector.

“Each of the nuclear related companies coming to Tennessee are keenly aware that their shared success is highly dependent on a trained workforce both now and in the coming years,” said Omega Technical Services President & CEO Bill Tindal. "The College System of Tennessee is an essential component of that success.”

The nuclear industry is one of four major workforce development priorities for the College System in 2026. Currently, TBR supports workforce development in the emerging nuclear industry through various programs.

Roane State offers a nuclear technology program and is cross-training more than 100 Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) students in nuclear energy, the fuel cycle, radiation measurements, safety and other career opportunities. Additional nuclear-focused opportunities are also available to students through select system colleges in East Tennessee.

“The nuclear renaissance provides an extraordinary opportunity for our state and our nation. Tennessee is the epicenter of this activity, and the College System of Tennessee — through its 37 community and technical colleges—stands ready to support this effort across the state,” said Tennessee Board of Regents Nuclear Workforce Strategist Teresa Duncan, who also serves as Roane State's vice president of workforce and community development.

For more information on the College System’s initiatives that prepare students to build careers in nuclear energy and other high-demand fields, visit tbr.edu. For details on Roane State's nuclear technology program, visit roanestate.edu/nuclear.

The College System of Tennessee is the state’s largest public higher education system, with 13 community colleges, 23 colleges of applied technology and the online TN eCampus serving approximately 170,000 students. The system is governed by the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR).