Associate Degree programs, with fully paid tuition, books, 8 week paid internship at union wage

“The company recognized that they’re going to have to do something about the aging workforce,” says Rob Howard, a licensed nuclear control operator with Southern California Edison (SCE). Howard has been an employee with SCE and a Local 246 member for more than 21 years. “So they partnered with MiraCosta College in Oceanside, California; received a grant from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission; and the union began training the next generation of nuclear workers.”

Howard is now the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Stations (SONGS) Workforce Education Coordinator, who screens and selects the students for two Associate Degree programs in Radiation Protection Technology and Nuclear Plant Operations. These degrees will prepare students for positions such as health physics technician or plant operator and help close the gap for qualified entrylevel nuclear workforce candidates. The students’ age range is broad, as young as 18 and as high as 52.

In addition to training the new workforce, SONGS “is also a part of the UWUA’s efforts to reach out to communities, make people comfortable with what we do and organize utility workers,” Howard says.

SONGS students receive fully paid tuition, books, plus an eight week unionrate paid internship at SCE, with guidance and representation by Local 246.

Real-Life Experience
Ric Matthews, Math and Science Dean at MiraCosta College, was approached by Local 246 and SCE about three years ago to discuss the SONGS initiative. “We are the only school on the West Coast to offer this program, and only one of a handful in the nation.”

The real-life, paid experience of working at SCE, with union representation, gives students true insight into the industry. “After two months of working at San Onofre, I finally found the motivation to try and get a permanent career at Edison,” says SONGS student Sarah Luu, 20. “It is one of the few places where I see a vast amount of employees that express how much they love their job. It is safe to say that this program has changed my life.”

“A few years ago, I did not even think about having a career in a nuclear company,” says Eugen Popescu, 49. “I thought it would be very dangerous and unhealthy to work in such an environment. The last seven weeks have changed totally my opinion. Now, I look forward to being a part of the nuclear industry.”

For more information, call 949-368-2283, or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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