NNSA's minority serving institution program looks to strengthen skilled workforce

“MSIPP’s expansion to the trades and skilled labor disciplines in junior and community colleges means more students can gain experiences within the nuclear security enterprise, greatly enhancing both their career outlook and our ability to deliver,” said Jill Hruby, under secretary for nuclear security and administrator of the NNSA. “Our partnerships with minority serving institutions continue to grow, resulting in a diverse and trained workforce vital to the success and security of our national laboratories, plants, and sites.”

The NNSA works with educational institutions and industry partners from across the nuclear security enterprise to achieve mission priorities through three major pathways: collaborative research; capacity building/workforce development; and recruitment, retention, and development of talented students. MSIPP has recognized a need to fill trade employment opportunities in the enterprise while promoting diversity in the nuclear workforce.

The FOA focuses on meeting the immediate and ongoing needs of traditional and emerging technician positions at the enterprise; improving the ability to recruit students from minority and underrepresented populations; and improving the nation’s capacity to secure its nuclear stockpile.