COLUMBIA, S.C. (courtesy savannahrivernuclearsolutions.com and columbiabusinessreport.com) — Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS) has agreed to donate resources including scholarship money and paid internships to Allen University and Benedict College.
SRNS has provided more than five million dollars for education outreach since 2008, impacting more than 260,000 students and educators throughout the seven counties near the Savannah River Site (SRS). Last year, more than 30,000 students and educators directly benefited from 12 SRNS Education Outreach annual programs and events.
“Since the first day of this program in 2008, SRNS has continued to support the valued heritage established at SRS in support of all levels of education throughout the region,” said Stuart MacVean, Savannah River Nuclear Solutions president and CEO. “Over the last four years alone, SRNS has donated more than $260,000 to area colleges and universities.”
U.S. Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC 6th District) applauded the SRNS agreements with Allen University and Benedict College for the far-reaching impact. “An internship can be a game-changer that opens doors, builds experience and offers an excellent ‘test-drive’ for both students and employers,” said Clyburn. “This is an outstanding, comprehensive effort to prepare students for the many current and future career opportunities right here in South Carolina, at the Savannah River Site.”
The memorandum of understanding between SRNS, Allen, and Benedict include:
- An annual tour of SRS for students and faculty and provide students subject matter experts to serve as advisors and/or mentors
- Two staffing workshops per year that will educate students on the process of applying for jobs and internships at SRNS
- Two resume writing/job interview workshops per year that will help prepare potential candidates for panel interviews and possible full service hiring at SRNS, while coordinating
with SRNS hiring managers concerning applicant qualifications in order to broaden the opportunity scope of position availability - Promoting and creating awareness of specific careers and related degree programs pertaining to current and potential future workforce needs associated with cybersecurity, engineering and business management using the SRNS website at www.savannahrivernuclearsolutions.com
- Collaboration with SRNS to integrate additional information or modify existing programs to more closely align with SRNS workforce requirements.
“Our Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with SRNS directly aligns with Benedict’s strategic plan and commitment to produce a highly skilled minority talent pool for the region’s workforce,” said Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis, president and CEO of Benedict College. “This partnership is a great example of how we can work with area companies and organizations to provide a broad array of services and opportunities for our students while simultaneously helping to fuel the economy.”
“We realize the importance of working with SRNS personnel to determine how our programs can be aligned to optimally meet their job-specific needs in multiple occupations found at SRS,”
said Allen University President Ernest McNealey. “There are many rewarding careers to be pursued at the Savannah River Site.”
Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, a Fluor-led company with Newport News Nuclear and Honeywell, is responsible for the management and operations of the Department of Energy’s Savannah River Site.