Bechtel and USC Partner to Build South Carolina's Nuclear Workforce

Bechtel's investment establishes the Bechtel Nuclear Energy Workforce Development Fund, supporting the Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing's nuclear education, research, and innovation efforts and drawing on 70 years of Bechtel nuclear expertise

COLUMBIA, S.C., Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Bechtel and the University of South Carolina's Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing today announced a new partnership to strengthen South Carolina's nuclear workforce pipeline and support nuclear innovation in the state, including the establishment of the Bechtel Nuclear Energy Workforce Development Fund.

The Bechtel Nuclear Energy Workforce Development Fund will:

• Support experiential learning and workforce development programs that connect students and trainees with nuclear-sector careers, from engineering and project management to the skilled trade professions essential to building, operating, and maintaining nuclear energy infrastructure.
• Draw on Bechtel's 70 years of experience in nuclear to help develop curriculum and training materials that prepare skilled trades professionals for careers in nuclear construction.
• Create opportunities for continued collaboration among Bechtel, the University of South Carolina, technical colleges, building-trades partners, and other workforce leaders across the state.

"South Carolina has the talent, experience, and supporting infrastructure to play an important role in America's nuclear future," said Dena Volovar, president of Bechtel's Nuclear, Security & Environmental business. "Bechtel is proud to partner with the University of South Carolina because of its ability to bring together industry, educators, and workforce partners. This kind of collaboration is essential to building the talent pipeline required for the next generation of nuclear projects."

"The future of nuclear energy in South Carolina depends on a workforce ecosystem that prepares people for the full range of careers this industry will require," said Hossein Haj-Hariri, dean of the Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing. "Bechtel's investment will help us strengthen partnerships among industry, technical colleges, the skilled trades, and the university, creating more opportunities for South Carolinians to contribute to this important sector."

The partnership also supports the Molinaroli College's proposed Nuclear Innovation Center, a major initiative within the college's emerging Engineering District. The center is designed to bring together education, research, industry, and workforce-development partners to help South Carolina meet the opportunities ahead in nuclear energy.

A Commitment to South Carolina

South Carolina has a long history in nuclear energy and a strong foundation of industry, education, and workforce-development partners. The Bechtel-USC partnership builds on that foundation by investing in the education and training needed to prepare South Carolinians for careers in nuclear energy and help meet the workforce demands of the industry's growth.

Leaders from across the state offered their support for the partnership:

"South Carolina's nuclear energy future depends on a highly skilled workforce ready to support every stage of this industry, from construction and operations to advanced technical roles," said Dr. Tim Hardee, president of the SC Technical College System. "The SC Technical College System is proud to partner with Bechtel, the Nuclear Innovation Center, our colleges, industry, and higher education partners to create pathways that prepare South Carolinians for meaningful careers in this growing sector."

"South Carolina has long been one of the top producers of nuclear power in the nation. Now, we are focused not only on maintaining that nuclear output but also on preparing the next generation of nuclear workers right here in Columbia," said Columbia Mayor Daniel J. Rickenmann. "The partnership between the University of South Carolina and Bechtel Corporation will bring together industry, building-trades, and education to recruit and train America's future nuclear leaders. It was an honor to demonstrate my commitment to this initiative at the Palmetto Nuclear Coalition Summit as we work together to develop the workforce ecosystem needed to capture the economic opportunities ahead and advance career prospects in the City."

"Bechtel's investment is an important step in building the workforce South Carolina will need to compete for the next generation of nuclear projects," said Ethel Bunch, founder and president of the Palmetto Nuclear Coalition. "Connecting industry, USC, our technical colleges and the skilled trades creates real pathways into high-value careers while strengthening the state's ability to attract investment and grow its nuclear economy."

Proven Nuclear Experience

Bechtel brings more than 70 years of experience in nuclear energy. The company has designed, built, or supported 150 nuclear plants worldwide, bringing more than 76,000 megawatts online. Its experience spans the industry's history, from building the world's first reactor to generate usable electricity to delivering Vogtle Units 3 and 4, the first new U.S. nuclear units in more than 30 years. At Vogtle, Bechtel completed Unit 4 30% more efficiently than Unit 3, despite stepping into the project midstream.

Today, Bechtel is delivering three AP1000® reactors as EPC partner for Poland's first nuclear power plant. In addition to its nuclear national security missions, it works with customers on a range of reactor technologies and future nuclear projects. Bechtel is also leading the industry in qualifying its digital construction tools, AI-enabled planning, robotics, and standardized work processes under its nuclear quality and safety program to modernize how nuclear projects are delivered.

"The opportunity for new nuclear energy projects is currently the greatest it has been in our generation," added Volovar. "Meeting this moment requires more than technology. It requires a highly skilled workforce and the ability to execute projects safely, efficiently, and with certainty. We're applying proven practices from Vogtle and our experience in mega-project delivery to the next generation of nuclear development, including three AP1000 reactors in Poland. This includes employing the best in delivery from across our portfolio to be ready to deliver these exciting projects with cost and schedule certainty."

Bechtel is investing in the skilled-trades workforce these projects require. In May, Bechtel and North America's Building Trades Unions (NABTU) signed a memorandum of understanding to modernize nuclear construction apprenticeships. Together, they are identifying the specialized craft skills nuclear construction requires, updating curricula with union training centers, and expanding recruitment into careers building large reactors and small modular reactors. Bechtel currently has more than 20,000 skilled-trades professionals working across active projects, giving the company firsthand experience recruiting, training, and deploying the workforce needed for complex construction programs.

About the Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing

The University of South Carolina's Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing prepares students to solve complex problems through education, research, and engagement with industry and communities. The college is expanding its leadership in nuclear engineering, workforce development, and innovation to support South Carolina's energy future.

About Bechtel

Bechtel is a trusted engineering, construction, procurement, and project management partner to industry and government. Differentiated by the quality of our people and our relentless drive to deliver the most successful outcomes, we align our capabilities to our customers' objectives to create a lasting positive impact. Since 1898, we have helped customers complete more than 25,000 projects in 160 countries on all seven continents that have created jobs, grown economies, improved the resiliency of the world's infrastructure, increased access to energy, resources, and vital services, and made the world a safer, cleaner place.

Bechtel serves the Energy; Infrastructure; Manufacturing & Technology; Mining & Metals; and Nuclear, Security & Environmental markets. Our services span initial planning and investment through start-up and operations. www.bechtel.com

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