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SOAR partnering with �山����

Rachel Adkins
July 30, 2026

�山���� is now accepting participants for a workforce training program related to the nuclear energy industry.

The program, supported through a partnership with Kentucky Community and Technical College System and Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR), is designed to prepare Eastern Kentuckians for high-demand careers in that field.

Eligible participants may be able to get the training costs fully covered through funding provided by: the GitLab Foundation and the Kentucky Nuclear Energy Development Authority.

“�山���� Workforce Solutions is excited to partner with SOAR and bring this extraordinary opportunity to individuals in our service area, potentially at no cost to them,” said Sierra O’Cull, �山���� Workforce Solutions Director.

Delivered through �山����’s Workforce Solutions, the program provides industry-focused training that can lead to employment opportunities supporting nuclear power plants across the nation.

"This is a great pathway for individuals interested in going into the energy sector, with access to readily available positions in nuclear energy outage work upon completion of the program through SOAR’s Eastern Kentucky Talent Network,” said O’Cull.

The initiative is funded through support from the GitLab Foundation and the Kentucky Nuclear Energy Development Authority and is being offered at six KCTCS colleges across Eastern Kentucky.

The 16-week training program includes 240 hours of instruction and hands-on learning designed to prepare participants for nuclear outage work, a specialized field that supports scheduled maintenance, upgrades, inspections, and refueling activities at nuclear power plants.

Participants will receive training in:

• OSHA-10 safety and workplace standards
• Blueprint reading and precision measurement
• Mechanical systems and fluid power
• Electrical fundamentals and industrial systems
• Automation and programmable logic controllers (PLCs)
• Industrial troubleshooting and problem-solving

Upon completing this training, students will also receive an OSHA-10 certification and an NC3 certification in mechatronics, strengthening their employability and workplace preparedness.

The program requires approximately 15 hours per week and combines classroom instruction, hands-on lab experience, and career readiness training.

Through partnerships established by SOAR with employers including Framatome, System One, Westinghouse Electric Company LLC, and WECTEC Staffing Services, participants who complete the training program will have opportunities to connect with employers actively seeking skilled workers.

“This training creates a pathway to careers that offer strong wages, valuable technical experience, and the flexibility to remain rooted in Eastern Kentucky,” said Dr. Reed Adkins, Executive Director of SOAR. “We’re excited to partner with �山���� to help residents gain the skills needed to access these opportunities.”

Upon completion, participants will be connected to SOAR’s Eastern Kentucky Talent Network for continued employment support, hiring events, and employer introductions.

Enrollment is now open. The program is expected to begin on August 18, 2026.

An on-site Energy Enrollment Event will be held on Tuesday, August 11, at �山����’s Maysville Campus at 1755 US HWY 68, Maysville, KY, 41056.

Interested individuals can drop-in, ask questions, view the lab, and enroll.

“Opportunities like this don’t come every day. I would encourage anyone who’s interested to reach out and apply,” said O’Cull.

To learn more or apply, go to

For more information, contact Sierra O'Cull at 606-301-6152 or sierra.ocull@kctcs.edu.