Texas State Technical College
Texas State Technical College
Nuclear Initiatives
www.waco.tstc.edu
Nuclear
Welding Inspection Enhanced Skills Certificate
Radiation Protection Technology Associate Degree
Health Physics Advanced Technical Certificate
Medical Imaging Systems Technology Associate Degree
Nuclear Technologies
With the expansion of the nuclear power industry in Texas and
the nation, there will be an increased demand for skilled workers
to both build and operate new plants. In Texas alone, four new
plants are to be built, with four other plants being considered for
construction in the following decade. Texas State Technical College
(TSTC) Waco is uniquely positioned to provide skilled technicians
and workers due to the number of technical programs available at
our College. For operation of the plants, graduates from the
Radiation Protection Technology/Health Physics program will provide
radiation safety services for the facilities along
with Instrumentation & Control (digital
instumentation) technicians and Industrial Systems
& Engineering graduates for maintenance and
operational duties. TSTC Welding programs will provide highly
skilled welders for construction phases. The Welding Department at
TSTC Waco is adding new programs in Nuclear Welding
Inspection. Together these programs will allow TSTC Waco
to be a major supplier of skilled technicians for the nuclear power
industry.
Radiation Safety
Funded by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (Trade School
Scholarships), the US Department of Labor (sub-award from
Brazosport College) and the Texas Workforce Commission (through a
sub-award from NPI/TAMU/TEES), TSTC offers scholarships for the
students preparing for careers in the nuclear energy industry and
partners with NPI on virtually all of its curriculum development,
outreach, professional development, and training efforts. The
college has established relationships with the Comanche Peak and
South Texas Project nuclear plant sites as well as with the Health
Physics Society, the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO),
and the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI). Radiation Safety coursework
is focused on Radiation Protection, Radiological Emergencies,
Radiation Detection Measurement, Nuclear Technology (Special
Topics).
An important fact about radiation safety at Texas State
Technical College Waco: The campus has been continuously offering
radiation protection courses since the early 1970s. This makes it
one of the oldest providers of academic credentials for radiation
protection technicians in the United States. TSTC alumni are
working in nuclear power plants and national labs around the
country and for agencies such as INPO.
Non-Destructive Testing & Nuclear Welding
Inspection
TSTC is preparing students for careers in the nuclear industry
with new curriculum and labs focused on non-destructive testing and
nuclear welding inspection. With the funding support from the
Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the National Science Foundation,
TSTC is establishing a capstone course for a new associate's degree
program in Nuclear Welding Inspection. The Welding Inspection
capstone course will prepare students to handle the significant
documentation challenge associated with welding inspection duties
at nuclear reactor construction sites.
Digital Instrumentation
The growing demand for Digital Instrument and Control
Technicians is being addressed in TSTC's Instrumentation, Controls
& Robotics Department (ICR). To meet the needs of Texas nuclear
power plants, existing digital instrumentation and control
coursework is being adapted to prepare students for success in the
nuclear power industry and ensure INPO standards are in place for
relevant I&C coursework. Funds from the US Department of Labor
(sub-award from Brazosport College) are also being used to
establish a fully equipped ISO 9000 training lab in the
department.
For more information, contact:
Suzanne Ferrero
Coordinator of Contracts & Grants
Office of Sponsored Programs
Texas State Technical College
3801 Campus Drive
Waco, Texas 76705
(254) 867-3056
Fax (254) 867-2009
suzanne.ferrero@tstc.edu
Linda Morris
Department Chair
Environmental Health & Safety
Texas State Technical College
3801 Campus Drive
Waco, Texas 76705
(254) 867-2952
(254) 867-3381
linda.morris@tstc.edu
