Tri-Cities Leaders Plan to Reinvigorate Workforce at DOE-EM-EFCOG-ECA Workforce Roundtable

On May 7th, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Energy Facilities Contractor Group (EFCOG) and Energy Communities Alliance (ECA) held their third workforce roundtable meeting in Kennewick, WA (near DOE’s Hanford Site and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL)). As the largest EM-managed site in the country, and likely the longest ongoing mission, Hanford requires the greatest long-term workforce needs. The roundtable was organized with support from the Tri-City Development Council (TRIDEC), and drew attendance from over 70 people, including a diverse array of municipal, Tribal, and K-12 education leaders. Contractor leadership, DOE leadership, representatives from industry, leadership from PNNL, representatives from local unions, and leaders from nearby higher education institutions were also in attendance. 

ECA Chair, Mayor Brent Gerry, West Richland, WA kicked off the meeting by saying: “Bringing together DOE, the contractors and communities with the workforce and the people that train the workforce is critical for my community and every community. We appreciate the work that ECA, EFCOG, EM, TRIDEC, and the Hanford Communities took to bring together state, tribal, union, technical and traditional educators along with DOE and the contractors for this meeting. By discussing ways to improve our working together, for the current and future workforce at Hanford, PNNL and in the private sector, we are ensuring a strong workforce both now and for future generations.”

Associate Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office of Regulatory and Policy Affairs, Kristen Ellis followed by highlighting EM’s role in facilitating workforce discussions throughout the DOE sites that host an EM mission and cooperating with the other DOE offices that manage and operate the sites. 

Local leaders agreed that an aging workforce presented the largest challenge to the area, and the consequent potential loss of skill turnover to the next generation. Therefore, much of the discussion focused on innovative ways to rejuvenate the workforce, and the issues associated with such an undertaking. 

To fuel future growth, the Tri-Cities area will need to fill thousands of new jobs with engineers, planners, tradesmen, technicians, chemists, supervisors, accountants and more. However, the parties acknowledged that there is stiff competition for young professionals, many of whom are drawn to positions in big tech that can offer higher immediate wages and benefits. The parties also acknowledged that they were competing over a dwindling pool of local labor. Moreover, various leaders noted that investment in local community infrastructure and programs, such as housing developments, daycare expansion, and healthcare services will be vital to drawing and retaining the next generation of the workforce. 

Securing a stable labor pipeline for the next generation was discussed as a solution to these challenges. Leaders and instructors thoroughly explained the various programs they have to offer in the area. Those in attendance also emphasized the need to begin engagement prior to post-secondary education, such as elementary school. It was also noted that it would be beneficial for these programs to partner with high school teachers and counselors to educate students and parents alike about the industry, the expanding industry programs, and the presence of industry in local and regional universities. Leaders also noted the need for increased coordination between industry and education, regarding information-sharing, transferable education, and cooperation to establishment more apprenticeship, intern, and co-op programs.

Furthermore, it is crucial to communicate to graduates and jobseekers the safety and benefits of working in nuclear. Along with providing assistance to prepare and apply for a position in the industry. 

The Tri-Cities are the third community to host this workforce discussion, following Los Alamos in August 2023, and the Savannah River Site (SRS) in December 2023. This week, ECA, DOE and EFCOG will return to SRS on May 17th for our second workforce-focused discussion with those host communities. 

ECA will provide updates as this initiative continues to spread to other DOE-EFCOG-ECA communities.