Seniors Drew Platts from Barnwell High School and Arian Williams from Allendale High School are first-time participants in a new youth apprenticeship program created by Savannah River Nuclear Solutions at EM’s Savannah River Site.
Seniors Drew Platts from Barnwell High School and Arian Williams from Allendale High School are first-time participants in a new youth apprenticeship program created by Savannah River Nuclear Solutions at EM’s Savannah River Site.

AIKEN, S.C. – U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management (EM) contractor Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS) is breaking new ground with a pilot program employing area high school students as apprentices at the Savannah River Site (SRS).

“We have a wide range of career opportunities requiring a technical school degree, and we need to fill and maintain that job pipeline,” said Dorian Newton, SRNS program manager, Apprenticeship and Pipeline Training (APT). “Agreements with nearby Aiken, Denmark, Orangeburg and Augusta technical schools have been very helpful towards filling this need through our extensive adult apprenticeship program at SRNS.”

Newton continued, “That said, we realize the next step is to facilitate a way for local high school students to complete their high school curriculum while gaining hands-on experience working side by side with our employees as youth apprentices.”

Two seniors, Arian Williams from Allendale High School in Allendale, South Carolina, and Drew Platts from Barnwell High School in Barnwell, South Carolina, agreed to be inaugural participants in the apprenticeship program.

“The youth apprenticeship program at Savannah River Nuclear Solutions has been a wonderful experience. They are very understanding and work with you while you’re in school,” said Williams. “I met many people who have given me great advice and assured me that I could come to them about any safety issues or concerns. This program has been a blessing, and I hope that I continue my journey at SRNS.”

“Boo Boo” Roberts, SRNS deputy program manager with APT, will mentor Williams and Platts as they work through the program.

“We want to expose them to various types of jobs available at SRS. You never know what might spark a strong interest in a career that had not been previously considered,” said Roberts.

As apprentices, Platts and Williams will primarily perform administrative duties, such as preparing and maintaining training records, setting up and breaking down classroom equipment and working as instructional aids.

“The ultimate goal after the successful completion of this youth pilot program will be to expand the program to include courses at local technical colleges, much like our adult apprenticeship program,” said Newton. “This will make for an optimum, well-rounded experience that will benefit these high school seniors and our company, as we receive highly qualified job candidates throughout the foreseeable future through this process.”

Platts said his first few days onsite were fun and exciting as he traveled around the site and visited facilities.

“I am excited to work at the Savanah River Site and explore all that it has to offer,” Platts said.