As Tennessee's nuclear industry grows, leaders stress the need for skilled workers to meet future demands
Category: Politics
In a region known for its nuclear innovation, . On October 20, 2026, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy James Danly visited Oak Ridge, Tennessee, a hub for the nuclear sector, to address a pressing issue: a severe shortage of skilled workers. Accompanied by Congressman Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN) and various industry leaders, Danly participated in an event organized by Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) titled "Next Steps for the Nuclear Workforce." This gathering aimed to tackle the workforce gaps identified in a recent study, highlighting the urgent need for trained professionals as the nuclear industry expands.
The backdrop of this discussion is a report released earlier in October by ORAU, which revealed that Tennessee's nuclear workforce currently stands at approximately 17,000 employees, with projections indicating a need for around 21,000 by 2032. This growth is driven by a surge in private nuclear projects, exceeding $10 billion in investments across East Tennessee in the past five years, including a notable $5 billion enrichment facility planned by Orano USA.
The ORAU study, based on interviews with 14 nuclear companies, underscored the challenges ahead. It identified the most acute shortages in roles such as chemical plant and system operators, where companies anticipate needing over 1,300 workers at peak demand. Alarmingly, Tennessee's educational institutions currently produce only about a dozen qualified graduates per year for these positions. Other roles that are likely to face shortages include nuclear reactor operators, electricians, plumbers, pipefitters, and structural iron workers, particularly as construction peaks between 2029 and 2032.
“I’m not being glib when I say this. Name a skilled trade and we don’t have enough of them,” Danly remarked during the event. He emphasized that the shortage is not limited to the nuclear sector but spans all skilled trades across the nation. "We can prove that by the fact that they’re getting paid a lot more than they have been historically. The scarcity is real," he added.
The urgency of the situation has prompted collaboration among federal agencies, industry stakeholders, and educational institutions. Danly noted the importance of partnerships in addressing workforce needs. “We already have a huge workforce here. There are 70,000 employees in the nuclear sector. That’s because we run the largest fleet of nuclear power plants, 96 of them bigger than anywhere else in the world,” he stated. With the Trump administration's ambitious goal to quadruple the nation’s nuclear power capacity by 2050, the demand for skilled workers will only intensify.
Fleischmann echoed these sentiments, highlighting the comprehensive support system in Tennessee, which includes academia, industry, and government collaboration. “Right now, we have every piece of the puzzle here in Tennessee,” he said, pointing to the coordinated efforts that have attracted 229 new nuclear companies to the state.
Recognizing the workforce challenge, the Department of Energy has begun directing federal funds toward training initiatives. In April, a grant was awarded to the University of Tennessee for operations safety training, a move Danly described as part of a broader strategy to bolster skilled trades education. "We’re going to be continuing that with a shift to more emphasis on trades and skilled trade workers in order to expand the pool of qualified candidates," he said.
In tandem with federal efforts, Tennessee has also made substantial investments in workforce development. Governor Bill Lee has established a $50 million fund dedicated to supporting nuclear education programs at institutions like the University of Tennessee and Roane State Community College. Fleischmann praised the state’s commitment, stating, “He took dollars and he put those into not only the University of Tennessee, but Roane State. Our community colleges are incredible in Tennessee.”
The implications of this workforce shortage extend beyond Oak Ridge. Fleischmann noted a study indicating a potential $50 billion economic impact in Knox County and surrounding rural areas. “Somebody in Morgan, Scott, or Campbell County that perhaps has not had an opportunity to share in that great part of the American dream can come down here and work at any of our facilities and bring a great paycheck back to those rural communities,” he explained. This economic boom is beneficial for urban centers and for rural communities seeking employment opportunities.
Meghan Millwood, President and CEO of ORAU, emphasized that the industry's growth is creating job openings beyond nuclear-specific roles. “If you think about all these companies coming in, all of the support areas that have got to come alongside, whether it’s accounting, human resources, business operations, there’s going to be opportunities in pretty much every area of need,” she stated.
As discussions continue, ORAU plans to hold another nuclear workforce event in spring 2027, aiming to address training gaps and strengthen partnerships. Millwood expressed her organization’s commitment, stating, “We’re just passionate at ORAU because strengthening the nation’s workforce is part of our core mission.”
The clock is ticking for the nuclear industry as it seeks to expand and meet the growing energy demands of the future. Without a strategic focus on workforce development, achieving the ambitious goals set forth by federal and state leaders may prove challenging. The collaborative efforts underway in Oak Ridge and throughout Tennessee are steps toward ensuring that the skilled workforce needed to power the nation’s nuclear renaissance is ready to meet the challenge.