SRSCRO June 2022 Update

DOE Speaks to SRSCRO Community

Representatives from the US Department of Energy (DOE) traveled to participate in Nuclear & Education Connections held at the North Augusta Municipal Building on June 22, 2022. One hundred educators and nuclear employers also joined the event that was hosted by the SRS Community Reuse Organization (SRSCRO) to strengthen regional connections related to workforce development.

Kristen Ellis kicked off the first session. Kristen serves as Acting Director of Regulatory, Intergovernmental, and Stakeholder Engagement & Senior Advisor for STEM and Talent Acquisition for the US DOE Office of Environmental Management (EM) Headquarters. She provided insight into DOE’s current focus on workforce and shared demographics showing the need for younger workers. For example, there are only 15 workers under the age of 30 in the nation’s Office of Environmental Management.

Pete Yerace also spoke about the significance of the local Workforce Opportunities in Regional Careers (WORC) grants. Pete is a Senior Environmental Compliance Specialist, and he serves as the WORC Program Officer for the DOE EM Consolidated Business Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. Pete has been working with the SRSCRO and area colleges over ten years to coordinate WORC activities in support of workforce needs. He highlighted the importance of education outreach that helps students find a scientific identity.

Parodio Maith provided the local perspective during the first session at the event. Parodio serves as Director, Acquisition Operations Division for DOE’s Savannah River Operations Office. He has served the community locally as the workforce development partnership has grown between DOE and the SRSCRO community.

Nuclear & Education Connections is the fifth event in a series that the SRSCRO has held since 2016 to continue regional discussions on workforce, with focus on different industry sections in the area. To see the full program click here.

Developing the Future Workforce

Nearly 2,000 scholarships have been awarded in the SRS Community Reuse Organization (SRCRO) region to help local citizens develop skills needed for local careers. The scholarships are just one part of a broad program focused on developing the future workforce by connecting educators and employers through the Workforce Opportunities in Regional Careers (WORC) grant program. Funds from WORC are also used to provide student success coaching, classroom supplies, equipment, undergraduate research opportunities and STEM outreach programs in rural regions.

Eight organizations are involved in WORC including the Department of Energy, SRSCRO, Aiken Technical College, Augusta Technical College, Augusta University, Claflin University, University of South Carolina Aiken and University of South Carolina Salkehatchie.

WORC partners from the eight organizations participated in the Nuclear & Education Connections event on June 22, 2022 in North Augusta, SC.

WORC is funded by the Department of Energy Environmental Management and National Nuclear Security Administration divisions. The SRSCRO serves as the fiscal agent and program manager. Area colleges and universities work closely with nuclear industry employers to support workforce development as subawardees of the WORC funding.

Generating a New View

Participants at the Nuclear & Education Connections event heard directly from a new generation in today’s workforce. They talked about why they chose nuclear careers and how the Workforce Opportunities in Regional Careers (WORC) grant programs have helped. Panelists for the session were:

Dr. Karina Liles, Interim Department Chair of Mathematics and Computer Science Department and Associate Professor of Computer Science, Claflin University
Ian Murray, Chemistry Student, University of South Carolina Aiken
Brooke Stagich, Senior Scientist, Savannah River National Laboratory, Environmental Dosimetry
Mike Violette, Group Manager, Site Services Electrical Shops, Savannah River Nuclear Solutions

Dr. Liles conveyed the importance of outreach to attract students into STEM career fields. “It’s important that students see someone that looks like them,” she explained with respect to expanding diversity in fields such as computer science.

Ian Murray has been working since he could earn a paycheck to better his opportunities. He told the audience that the new generation is willing to work very hard, but also to work efficiently and have more to life than work. Ian is advancing his skills in chemistry through research opportunities.

Brooke Stagich talked about being a first-generation college student and the importance of mentors in the workplace. She also emphasized the significant role that instructors play in helping students understand their career opportunities. Brooke is giving back by mentoring others entering the workforce.

Mike Violette found his scientific identity while working as a college administrator. He changed careers with help from WORC scholarships and found his passion both technically and as a manager for others.

Leaders from Savannah River Site also served on a panel at the Nuclear & Education Connections event. To see the full program from the event, click here.

In This Issue

DOE Speaks to SRSCRO Community

Developing the Future Workforce

Generating a New View

Spotlight

Excess Property Program

The primary goal of the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Asset Transition Program is to utilize excess personal property derived from the Savannah River Site to enhance economic development and job opportunities within a five-county region surrounding the Site. In addition to job creation, assets may also be used to improve the “quality of life” of area residents.

The SRS Community Reuse Organization’s (SRSCRO) Asset Transition Program had two recent “quality of life” donations. Both were based upon the most demonstrated need per the information supplied to the SRSCRO in special restricted offerings.

One was a donation of a 1996 Heavy Rescue Vehicle manufactured by Emergency One (E-One) which went to Aiken Public Safety.

The other one was a one-time donation of school supplies including, hanging filed folders and file folder packs, 3 ring binders, 8.5 x 14 computer paper, boxes of staples, paper clips, staple pullers, various odd size envelopes, loose pens and pencils, and other misc. office supplies. The school supplies will be going to the Allendale School District.

June

Fun Facts

Before Caesar’s rise to power, the calendar spanned only 10 months, June being the fourth month. The calendar we follow today was first established in 46 BC, bumping June forward a couple of spots.

If you were born on or before the 20th of June, you’re a Gemini, often characterized as passionate, adaptable, and intelligent. If you were born on the 21st of June or later, you’re a Cancer, considered to possess a depth of emotion and a great sense of loyalty.

The June bug (or June beetle) is named for the month itself. They’re only found between May and June in the USA and survive on a mixed diet of plants and shrubbery.

June’s packed with holidays for those with a sweet tooth. National Rocky Road Day falls on the 2nd of June, with National Macaroon Day the day after on the 3rd, and National Chocolate Ice-Cream Day on the 7th. Luckily.

The primary birthstone of June is pearl, symbolizing faith and purity. Also, alexandrite and moonstone share this honor. Alexandrite represents longevity and health, while Moonstone is more closely linked to luck, love, and passion.

Ancient Romans believed that the period between the middle of May and the middle of June was an ill-omened time to marry. The tale goes that the Roman poet Ovid consulted with the high priestess of Jupiter on when his daughter should marry, to be told that he must wait until after the 15th of June.

In both common and leap years, no other month begins on the same day of the week as June.

June’s full moon is known as the Strawberry Full Moon, named for the bounty of fruit grown at this time of year.

Most important of all, June is the birth month of the SRSCRO President/CEO.

The 2022 SRSCRO meeting schedule is available here.

Closing Thoughts

"Good taste is the worst vice ever invented." -- Edith Sitwell

"People need to be reminded more often than they need to be instructed." -- Samuel Johnson

"The thing I hate about an argument is that it always interrupts a discussion." -- G. K. Chesterton

"I not only use all the brains that I have, but all that I can borrow." -- Woodrow Wilson

"Good judgment comes from experience, and often experience comes from bad judgment." -- Rita Mae Brown

"Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it." -- Henry David Thoreau

"He who asks is a fool for five minutes, but he who does not ask remains a fool forever."

-- Chinese Proverb

Contact Information

SRSCRO, PO Box 696, Aiken, SC 29802

Staff:

Rick McLeod | President/CEO | 803.508.7402

Mindy Mets | Director of Regional Workforce Programs |803.508.7403

Amy Merry | Administrative & Business Manger | 803.508.7401

Kim Saxon | Assistant Coordinator | 803.508.7656

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