Can you guess which countries are leading the race for global STEM talent development? Unfortunately, the answer is not the United States. In fact, according to an article published by Georgetown University, only 20% of the college graduates in the United States hold degrees in a science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) field, while 41% of China’s graduates and 37% of Russia’s graduates hold STEM degrees. In addition, in sheer volume, China produces nearly four times more STEM graduates annually than the United States. So, how do we close this gap? According to Michelle Goodson, director of the ORAU STEM Accelerator (OSA), it’s going to take the help of everyone. Here are six ways we can work together to make a difference:
1. Join the Partnership for Nuclear Energy
During her presentation at the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs meeting recently, Goodson discussed how ORAU and partners are working together to solve the national STEM worker supply challenge. The first solution Goodson brought up was the chance for others to join the Partnership for Nuclear Energy (PNE). PNE is working is to develop comprehensive solutions that address critical challenges in the nuclear sector. In short, it addresses the workforce challenges from a holistic model approach, focusing on solutions that consider the needs of various stakeholders and sectors.
PNE brings together nuclear energy experts from universities, community colleges and technical skill training organizations, industries producing nuclear reactors large and small, professional industry organizations, national research laboratories, and government agencies.
2. Serve on the Partnership for Nuclear Energy Advisory Council
In addition to joining PNE, Goodson offered the opportunity to be part of the organization’s Advisory Council, which will launch in August of 2025. The goal of this group will be to strengthen the skills, knowledge, tools, and resources that Tennessee nuclear energy organizations need. The advisory council is where the vision will happen, helping to decide what the next steps are to push through the ideas on the list of recommendations. If you want to be instrumental in shaping the future of STEM and nuclear energy in the United States, this collaborative initiative is for you.
3. Participate in PNE’s workforce demand study
PNE’s workforce demand study is also set to kick off in the summer of this year. To best understand how to fill the gap between the nuclear workforce supply and demand, Goodson said we need to figure out the scope of the demand. If you are a nuclear leader in your organization, Goodson would love for you to supply your workforce data to create a comprehensive model of what demand looks like. According to Goodson, this is important for large companies, but also smaller companies as well.
“We need the data not only from the large companies in the area, but also from the secondary and tertiary companies in the supply chain,” said Goodson. “Without all that data, we have an incomplete model. We are starting with Oak Ridge because it’s the most complex nuclear energy industry stakeholder group in the country. If we can do it here, we can replicate that model and send it outside of Tennessee where others can benefit.”
4. Be a nuclear ambassador
One of the easiest ways to get involved in the nuclear renaissance and the mission of OSA is to be an ambassador for nuclear energy. Whether that’s talking about the work that you do in nuclear, or telling your family, neighbors, and everyone else about the career opportunities in nuclear, there are many ways for you to make an impact just by conveying the message. As we mentioned earlier, solving this challenge is going to take us all, which is why it’s important to create awareness and to communicate positive messages about the nuclear energy solution.
5. Point potential nuclear workers and organizations to T-NEWC
Since the launch of PNE, we have already seen impacts both locally and nationally, and there is plenty more to come. In September of 2025, the Tennessee Nuclear Energy Workforce Center (T-NEWC) will launch. The goal of T-NEWC is to address the challenges of educating, training and developing talent for the nuclear workforce. The model focuses on five key areas: people, pipeline development, process, physical infrastructure and planning. By addressing these critical aspects, the model aims to ensure a robust and skilled nuclear workforce to meet the growing demands of the industry. One of the primary focuses for T-NEWC is to collaborate and integrate a centralized nuclear energy ecosystem with public and private partners across Tennessee. Through targeted outreach and education campaigns, T-NEWC can begin to generate career awareness and communication. T-NEWC will connect workers to nuclear education and training resources and to industry, closing the gap between supply and demand one worker at a time.
6. Support the deployment of solutions
Now that we have talked about some of the ways we can bridge the gap between the supply and demand of the nuclear workforce, the question becomes how do we work to deploy some of these solutions? There are multiple answers depending on your own resources. Whether it’s through policy advocacy or funding initiatives, or just becoming an ambassador like we mentioned before, everyone has a role to play.
Now that you know how you can make a difference, be sure to check out our website to learn more about the ORAU STEM Accelerator and the Partnership for Nuclear Energy.
Sources:
- Georgetown University
- Goodson, Michelle (2025). Closing the Gap, Nuclear Workforce Supply and Demand