Western Wyoming Community College (WWCC) in Rock Springs is set to offer the state’s first nuclear associate degree, thanks to nearly $2 million in state funding, Wyoming Public Media reports.
The new program aims to prepare students for careers in the growing nuclear industry, particularly in light of Bill Gates’ TerraPower choosing Kemmerer as the site for its novel nuclear power plant.
The TerraPower plant is expected to require around 250 full-time workers, with most positions needing only a two-year degree. Job titles include nuclear technician operator, industrial maintenance technician, and instrumentation technician.
“Eighty percent of the positions at the nuclear facility will be filled by community college graduates,” said Amy Murphy, WWCC’s workforce initiatives manager.
Murphy is already recruiting high school students for the program. The first cohort of 15 students is scheduled to begin in fall 2025, with graduates guaranteed jobs at the new facility, which is expected to be operational by the end of the decade.
Murphy emphasized the importance of staying engaged with science and math, as these subjects are crucial for success in the nuclear field. Starting salaries for positions in the nuclear plant are expected to approach six figures.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to retain young adults in Wyoming, as the state has seen many residents leave by their 30s. The program aims to fill jobs with locals familiar with the state’s unique climate and conditions. Further details on the degree program will be released in the coming year.
