Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) is leading a $2.38 million initiative to strengthen nuclear safety education, workforce development, and public engagement. Supported by the U.S. Department of Energy's Nuclear Reactor Safety Training and Workforce Development Program, the Rensselaer–Excelsior Partnership for Nuclear Sustainability (RENEW) brings together RPI and Excelsior University, along with participating organizations from government, industry, and the energy sector, to help prepare the next generation of nuclear professionals.
The initiative includes participating organizations such as the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI), Constellation, NuScale, Exodys, and ISGP. By connecting academic expertise, industry experience, and public-sector resources, RENEW aims to develop sustainable pathways for nuclear education and professional training while responding to evolving workforce needs.
As the United States expands its nuclear energy capabilities, the industry faces growing demand for skilled professionals to support the existing reactor fleet, emerging advanced reactor technologies, and related infrastructure.
“Advanced reactor technologies, digital tools, and new applications of nuclear energy are creating exciting opportunities,” said Wei Ji, professor of nuclear engineering at RPI and principal investigator of RENEW. “By bringing together universities, industry, and public-sector organizations, we aim to connect education with workforce needs and establish sustainable pathways for students and working professionals to enter and advance in the nuclear industry.”
RENEW will incorporate advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, and reactor simulators, into innovative educational and training programs. Planned initiatives include new professional credentials, such as a Small Modular Reactor (SMR) Safety Certificate and an MBA concentration in Nuclear Plant Management, along with hands-on learning and industry engagement opportunities.
Beyond professional education, the initiative will promote public understanding of nuclear energy and encourage younger generations to explore careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Planned outreach activities include Youth Industry Discovery Days, campus-based engineering events, and K–12 educational initiatives, with an emphasis on broadening participation and expanding access to nuclear career pathways.
The RPI team is led by Principal Investigator Wei Ji, with co-principal investigators Shanbin Shi, Jie Lian, and Hyun Gook Kang, all faculty members in RPI's Department of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Nuclear Engineering. Together, they bring expertise in nuclear engineering, advanced reactor technologies, materials science, and nuclear safety to support the partnership's education and workforce development initiatives.
Through RENEW, RPI and its participating organizations seek to establish a sustainable model for nuclear workforce education that supports both today's energy infrastructure and tomorrow's advanced nuclear technologies.
Categories: School of Engineering, Mechanical, Aerospace and Nuclear Engineering
