Stony Brook to receive $945,000 for nuclear workforce training
The university will train students in welding, HVAC, and radiation safety as part of a state-wide initiative to expand New York's nuclear energy sector.
By Marco Kapoor ·
Stony Brook University will receive $945,000 to train students for careers in the nuclear energy industry. The grant is part of a $10 million package awarded by the New York Power Authority to six programs across the state.
Governor Kathy Hochul announced the funding on September 29. The money, approved by the NYPA Board of Trustees, aims to prepare New Yorkers for jobs in the expanding nuclear sector. The state plans to grow its emissions-free nuclear capacity to more than 8 gigawatts.
Hochul stated that advanced nuclear is central to her strategy for maintaining reliable power and controlling costs. She noted that the funding supports the goal of building an advanced nuclear future by and for New Yorkers while complementing wind and solar efforts.
Stony Brook will use its share of the funds to implement three training tracks. These include nuclear-aligned welding, HVAC/R certification, and radiation work. The university will partner with Suffolk County Community College and Brookhaven National Laboratory for this initiative.
The radiation work component will be led by the Stony Brook Post-Irradiation Examination And Research Lab, or PEARL. Faculty members Lance Snead and David Sprouster will oversee the lab, alongside Michelle Kehoe from Radiation Safety. The program will teach radiation safety, instrumentation, and personal protective equipment usage to 36 students.
Half of the 36 students will be from Stony Brook University. Following the training, four students will be selected for paid summer internships at Brookhaven National Laboratory. These interns will shadow professionals in the Radiological Control Division to gain fieldwork experience as radiological control technicians.
Mónica Bugallo, Stony Brook’s interim vice president for research and innovation, said the program combines workforce development with cutting-edge research. She emphasized that the partnership brings together faculty expertise and professionals to provide practical, real-world training in energy research.
Ed Bonahue, president of Suffolk County Community College, said the partnership prepares students with the technical skills and credentials needed for the growing nuclear industry. He noted that specialized training in HVAC and welding is essential for supporting New York's expanding nuclear infrastructure.
Derek O’Connor, senior manager for workforce development at Stony Brook, highlighted the geographic advantage of the region. He stated that an R1 university, a trade-focused community college, and a national laboratory are all located within a 30-mile radius. This concentration of expertise is key to creating effective workforce programming.
Aleida Perez, manager of Workforce Development and Science Education at Brookhaven National Laboratory, said the internships allow students to apply classroom knowledge in a working national laboratory environment. She expressed gratitude to the New York Power Authority for investing in these student partnerships.
The NYPA has committed $40 million to build New York’s advanced nuclear workforce over the past year. This includes issuing solicitations and expanding its leadership team. The funding supports Governor Hochul’s NextGen Nuclear New York program, which aims to develop a skilled in-state workforce through coordinated education pathways.
Other awardees of the $10 million fund include the Workforce Development Institute, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Jamestown Community College, SUNY Syracuse Educational Opportunity Center, and the Manufacturers Talent Institute. Earlier this year, the PEARL lab also secured a $4 million congressionally directed spending award for energy security research.
