Exploring Internship Opportunities at Savannah River Nuclear Solutions

Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS) offers a variety of educational and research opportunities to students and educators. These programs provide valuable hands-on experience and contribute to SRNS's missions in national security, environmental stewardship, and energy technologies.

SRNS Student Programs: An Overview

Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS) offers educational and research opportunities to K-12 teachers; undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate students; and university faculty in a variety of assignments. Using the Savannah River Site’s (SRS) unique resources and state-of-the-art equipment and facilities, interns and other participants support research and development activities, engineering, operations, and other SRS services while gaining knowledge and experience in their field of study.

SRNS Internship Program: A Deep Dive

The SRNS Internship Program provides an opportunity for students attending two-year technical colleges and four-year colleges and universities up to the doctoral level to gain hands-on learning experiences related to their field of study. The goal of the internship program is to help bridge the gap between academic study and its application in professional practice. Participation in an internship assignment offers students a glimpse into a professional work environment, while networking with both newly minted and veteran professionals. Each student will be assigned a mentor, who will be primarily responsible for developing meaningful work projects during the internship. However, it won’t be uncommon for other organizations to “share” a student, thereby creating a richer and more diverse experience. Internships not only benefit students, but the company as well.

Internship Program Overview

The SRNS Internship Program is designed to bridge the gap between academic studies and practical application in a professional setting. Interns gain hands-on experience related to their field of study, working alongside professionals on meaningful projects. A mentor is assigned to each student, providing guidance and support throughout the internship.

Disciplines Offered

Internship opportunities are available in a variety of disciplines:

Read also: SCAD Tuition and Expenses

Physical Sciences
Life Sciences
Engineering
Computer Science
Business
Communications

Required Qualifications

To be eligible for the SRNS Internship Program, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Must be a full-time student at an accredited four-year college or university, or within one year after finishing a degree program.
Must have completed freshman year of college.
Must possess a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5.
Must successfully complete Savannah River Site General Employee Training and substance abuse processing.

What SRNS Looks For

In addition to the required qualifications, SRNS seeks candidates who are:

Team-driven
Possess an integrated understanding of the general business environment
Have data analysis skills with proficiency in various Microsoft Office products
Communicate effectively
Can self-manage with daily check points from management

Compensation

The hourly base rate of pay for this internship starts at $18.00, and may increase based on major and class standing.

Typical Duties and Responsibilities

Interns may be involved in a variety of tasks, such as:

Participating in training sessions to understand payroll processes and systems more thoroughly.
Assisting with maintaining accurate payroll records and files.
Addressing payroll-related inquiries from employees and escalating issues as needed.
Generating payroll reports for management and assisting with audits.
Helping to prepare and process payroll, which involves calculating wages, deductions, tax withholdings, and benefits.
Working on special projects as requested

Savannah River Site Apprenticeship School: Building a Skilled Workforce

The Savannah River Site (SRS) Apprenticeship School is a structured workforce development initiative aimed at building a highly skilled, diverse workforce. Through partnerships with government agencies, educational institutions, and local communities, the program provides hands-on training, job-specific education, and professional development for apprentices across three key pathways. Upon successful completion of the program, participants receive a national, industry recognized and portable credential through the Department of Labor.

Read also: Savannah Christian Value

SRS faced a pressing need to expand its workforce due to employee attrition, new mission requirements, and the scarcity of nuclear-qualified, highly specialized candidates. To bridge the gap, SRS is committed to developing a pipeline of qualified professionals through a tailored workforce development strategy that creates, trains, and retains talent.

Key Skilled Technician Apprenticeships

The Key Skilled Technician Apprenticeship is focused on roles requiring interdepartmental collaboration and specialized skills, such as production operators and maintenance technicians. Registered apprenticeships last approximately 8 months to 4 years, during which apprentices complete on-the-job and classroom training while earning a scalable wage. Each program trains apprentices in the necessary processes to become a qualified employee in their specific discipline.

Program Structure

Eight months of paid classroom/laboratory instruction and on-the-job training with an SRS instructor using equipment identical to different facilities).
Two courses at a time will be taken at a technical college (Aiken Tech, Augusta Tech, or Denmark Tech, which will be determined by apprenticeship program) for the duration of approximately four weeks.
The apprentice will then come on-site for about four weeks to take general Site training, on-the-job training, etc.
This schedule will continue to rotate throughout the eight months of the program.
After completing the program, a certificate from the Department of Labor will be earned and a certificate of completion of Nuclear Fundamentals from the technical college.
Twenty-four-month paid program that provides classroom training at SRS and participating technical colleges along with on-the-job training with qualified senior maintenance mechanics and field time experience.
Thirty-six-month paid program that provides classroom training at SRS and participating technical colleges along with on-the-job training with qualified senior E&I mechanics.

Professional/Degree Based Apprenticeship Program

Gain professional experience with hands-on training through our Professional/Degree Based Apprenticeship Program. Whether you are entering the workforce or earning your associate or bachelor’s degree, join us for a structured 12 to 48 month journey to develop a career path and enhance your field of study.

Youth Apprenticeship Program

Join our 12- to 24-month program designed for high school juniors and seniors. Earn your diploma while gaining hands-on experience at SRS. On completion, receive a certificate as a Youth Apprentice from the Department of Labor. The SRNS Youth Apprenticeship Program provides a meaningful head start for students exploring careers in business, engineering, emergency medical services, information technology, and more.

Program Details

Twelve to twenty-four-month program for high school juniors in pursuit of a high school diploma.
Participants will complete on-the-job training with duties in Site training.
After completing the program, apprentices will earn a certificate as an Youth Apprentice from the Department of Labor.
Citizen with a valid driver's license and reliable personal transportation, and be available to work part-time (Monday - Thursday).

Collaborative Partnerships: Strengthening Workforce Development

The success of SRS’s workforce initiatives relies on a collaborative network of stakeholders, both external and internal. External partners include technical colleges, local education boards, regional adult learning centers, state and federal funding agencies, and regional and state chambers of commerce. These institutions contribute resources, expertise, and funding support, fostering an environment conducive to sustainable workforce development. Each contractor provides sponsorship and resource investment, supporting the program’s ongoing development and implementation.

Read also: SSU Legacy

Key Partners

Aiken Technical College (ATC): ATC serves as one of the many sites that provides off-site training to apprentices in the Production Operator, Radiation Protection, Maintenance Mechanic, and Electrical and Instrumentation Programs. It was the first technical school to partner with SRS to establish what would become the SRS Apprenticeship School and has since shared its program knowledge with other schools. ATC provides the hands-on, technical training, which is the essence of an apprenticeship program and sets the SRS Apprenticeship School apart from other technical training programs.
Augusta Technical College: Since 1961, Augusta Technical College has been committed to providing workforce training programs to support the regional growth of the Greater Augusta area. Programs such as industrial maintenance, precision manufacturing, and engineering technologies have produced thousands of graduates that have fulfilled job opportunities at the Savannah River Site for decades. Through the Technical College System of Georgia’s office of Workforce Development, the college was allotted $264,000 to fund the cost of instruction (e.g., tuition, books, fees) for up to 60 apprentices. Additional funding sources through DOE are opportunities to expand the program in the future. The college began its first cohort of 20 students in January 2024 and graduated the inaugural cohort of Nuclear Operator Apprentices in August 2024. This is one part of the college’s comprehensive plan to expand programming and enrollment in nuclear and advanced manufacturing within our region.
Denmark Technical College: Denmark Technical College has four academic divisions on the credit side, School of Arts and Sciences, School of Business and Public Services, School of Industrial Related Technologies, and School of Nursing. It also has a department of Workforce Development and Continuing Education (WD&CE) on the non-credit side that trains workforce needed by local companies, including SRS. The apprentices in the Nuclear Production Operator program receive classroom instructions at Denmark Technical College and hands-on training at SRS participating companies. The apprentices graduate with a Nuclear Fundamentals Technology certificate from the college giving them a credential that shows their competency as well as providing a path to return for further education if so desired.
Apprenticeship Carolina: Apprenticeship Carolina, part of the SC Technical College System, supports the expansion of Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) to strengthen the state’s workforce. It provides SRNS with guidance on program development and registration. It supports the technical colleges with funding opportunities for apprentices. By partnering with employers, Apprenticeship Carolina helps build sustainable talent pipelines in high-demand industries, fostering economic growth and workforce development across South Carolina.
Lower Savannah Council of Governments (LSCOG): The Lower Savannah Council of Governments (LSCOG) supports regional development by coordinating local governments and securing funding for growth initiatives. As a workforce development collaborator, LSCOG partners with SRNS and the Apprenticeship Program, enrolling regional apprentices in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) program. WIOA provides financial support for work-based learning, occupational skills training, and wrap-around services like tools, uniforms, and travel vouchers. Its goal is to help jobseekers secure full-time, self-sufficient employment.
Savannah River Site Community Reuse Organization (SRSCRO): Funded by DOE-EM and NNSA through the Savannah River Site Community Reuse Organization (SRSCRO), WORC supports local workforce development by providing scholarships, student success coaches, recruitment events, and promotional efforts. Grant partnerships like WORC are vital to the success of the SRS Apprenticeship School. One example is from Aiken Technical College, a key WORC partner. They have used funding to cover over $100,000 in tuition and fees for more than 100 apprenticeship students, allowing them to receive their certificate debt-free. WORC exemplifies the impact of employer-educator collaboration, strengthening talent pipelines critical to SRS missions in South Carolina and Georgia.
Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG): The Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) leads the expansion of Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) through Apprentice Georgia, supporting small to medium-sized businesses and government entities. Each of TCSG’s 22 technical colleges serves as a RAP sponsor, providing statewide access to apprenticeships and partnering with employers to design programs, deliver training, and secure funding. TCSG ensures federal compliance and offers programmatic support, including technical assistance and funding administration. Department of Labor, TCSG has established reciprocity for 22 occupations supporting SRNS workforce needs. Augusta Technical College leads RTI for the Nuclear Operator RAP, coordinating with stakeholders to align training with employer and apprentice needs.
WorkSource Georgia CSRA: WorkSource Georgia CSRA, under the CSRA Regional Commission, administers Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funding across 13 counties to support employment, education, and economic development. Partnering with governments, educational institutions, and community organizations, WorkSource CSRA connects workers to apprenticeship programs, using WIOA funds to enhance skills and meet employer needs. This initiative strengthens the energy sector talent pipeline, particularly for SRNS, by developing entry-level workers from underserved communities. SRNS collaborates with WorkSource CSRA and Augusta Technical College on the Nuclear Operators Apprenticeship Program to support workforce growth at Savannah River Site.

SRNS: Making the World Safer

As the Savannah River Site’s management and operations contractor since 2008, Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS) makes the world safer. With safety and security in the forefront, SRNS develops innovative approaches to deliver on our environmental commitments and nuclear materials challenges; supplies products and services necessary to maintain the nation’s nuclear deterrent; secures nuclear materials to prevent unwanted proliferation; and transforms nuclear materials into assets and stable wasteforms. The SRNS workforce is highly capable, engaged, and adaptable to meet existing and expanding missions. SRNS employees apply superior expertise and innovative solutions to complex and challenging national and global issues. We have the knowledge to address a range of national and international nuclear issues.

Equal Opportunity Employer

SRNS is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. SRNS utilizes the Disabled Veteran Enhancement Opportunities program which is aimed at improving employment opportunities for disabled veterans at the Savannah River Site (SRS). SRNS is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process.

Factors such as pre-employment background review results, dual citizenship status, and unpaid and/or unfiled taxes may impact your ability to obtain a security clearance. This list of factors is not exhaustive; pre-employment information and security clearance requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

tags: #savannah #river #nuclear #solutions #internship #requirements