The programme to be developed by Westinghouse and the University of South Carolina (USC) will be centred at the USC Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing’s planned Nuclear Innovation Center. The partnership will explore opportunities to create a first-of-its-kind nuclear training centre to develop and prepare all workforce disciplines for a large-scale national deployment of new nuclear power plants.
Potential training capabilities being discussed include: state-of-the-art digital AP1000 simulators that can train plant operators and university students in a replica control room that simulates the operating conditions of a plant; unique hands-on construction labs to provide craft, construction and maintenance training and to develop new and advanced technologies through digital work packages, wearables, AR/VR and AI-enabled execution; and a multidisciplinary certificate programme for mechanical, electrical, industrial and civil engineering students pursuing careers in the nuclear energy sector.
The Nuclear Innovation Center is a major new initiative for USC aimed at positioning South Carolina as a national leader in nuclear energy research, innovation, partnership and workforce development. The centre will create a model for developing the skilled talent and technology infrastructure required by the nuclear energy industry and strengthen South Carolina’s ability to compete for nuclear and technology-driven economic development.
“President Trump’s historic executive orders have laid the foundation for a new era of American nuclear energy, and we must build the workforce capable of turning that vision into reality,” said US Deputy Secretary of Energy James Danly. “This is why investments in workforce development like the partnership between Westinghouse and the University of South Carolina are so important. These collaborations will build the talent base needed to support new nuclear construction, strengthen our domestic supply chain and ensure that American families have high-paying jobs for generations to come.”
USC President Michael Amiridis said: “We look forward to collaborating with Westinghouse to develop workforce education opportunities for our students as we plan for our proposed Nuclear Innovation Center at the University of South Carolina. This partnership between higher education and industry promises to strengthen South Carolina’s leading role in the future of nuclear energy for our state and nation.”
“While South Carolina is already a strong nuclear state, this strategic partnership between USC and Westinghouse will position the state as a national leader,” said Luca Oriani, President of Westinghouse New Plant Delivery. “This collaboration will support high-paying jobs and economic growth across South Carolina while strengthening and further developing the workforce needed to deliver the next generation of nuclear power plants and meet the rising demand for electricity.”
New York funding
New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the New York Power Authority (NYPA) has awarded USD10 million in funding to support the development of a nuclear workforce across the state. The awards will “equip thousands of participants with hands-on technical training, wraparound support services, and nuclear workforce career pathways aligned with New York’s efforts to grow its backbone of reliable, emissions-free nuclear energy to more than 8 GW”, she said.
“Advanced nuclear is a cornerstone of my all-of-the-above strategy to keep the lights on and costs down for New Yorkers,” Hochul said. “The USD10 million in funding approved today by the NYPA board will help ensure New York’s advanced nuclear future will be built by and for New Yorkers and also re-energise an industry that will create thousands of high-quality jobs while complementing our nation-leading efforts on wind and solar.”
In June 2025, Hochul directed NYPA – New York’s public electric utility – to develop and construct an advanced nuclear power plant in Upstate New York. The announcement built on Hochul’s State of the State address, delivered in January last year, in which she outlined plans to develop a Master Plan for Responsible Advanced Nuclear Development in New York as part of a USD1 billion proposal to achieve a more sustainable – and affordable – future for the state.
In June this year, NYPA issued a call for nuclear developers and delivery partners for its initiative to develop at least 1 GW of advanced nuclear energy in Upstate New York, and an invitation to training providers to apply for USD40 million in nuclear workforce development funding.
“Advanced nuclear energy will play a central role in providing reliable, emissions-free electricity for generations to come, and that future depends on the talent we develop today,” said NYPA President and CEO Justin Driscoll. “Through this first round of awards, NYPA is delivering real opportunities for New Yorkers, expanding pathways into high‑demand nuclear careers and strengthening the workforce foundation needed to support Governor Hochul’s vision for a clean, dependable energy system.”
Four nuclear reactors – all operated by Constellation Energy – currently provide 21.4% of all New York’s electricity, and 41.6% of its carbon-free electricity, according to information from the Nuclear Energy Institute. The State of New York has already supported the continued operation of those facilities – two units at Nine Mile Point and the single-unit Ginna and Fitzpatrick plants – by explicitly recognising their zero-carbon attributes in its clean energy mandate. Two pressurised water reactors at the Indian Point plant were closed down prematurely in 2020 and 2021 respectively following on from a settlement agreement between the plants’ then-owner Entergy and the State of New York.
