Shortfall in young engineers threatens nuclear renaissance

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🗞️ Driving the news: Despite growing demand for nuclear energy, the industry faces a shortage of young talent, with U.S. nuclear engineering graduates dropping 25% from 2012 to 2022
• The workforce is aging, with only 23% of workers under 30, compared to 29% in other energy sectors. Efforts to attract new recruits are hampered by the industry's troubled image.

🔭 The context: Nuclear energy is seen as a crucial solution to achieving carbon-free power, with projections suggesting it could account for 10-15% of the global energy mix by 2050
• However, the industry struggles to shake off its association with disasters like Chernobyl and Fukushima
• Despite these challenges, some young engineers are drawn to the field due to its potential in fighting climate change

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Nuclear power is a key tool in reducing global carbon emissions and meeting clean energy goals. A failure to cultivate a new generation of experts could hinder progress in achieving a sustainable energy transition

⏭️ What's next: The nuclear workforce in the U.S. must expand from 68,000 to over 200,000 by 2050 to meet future energy demands
• Industry leaders are focused on attracting young talent by showcasing career stability, high salaries, and the chance to work on cutting-edge technologies like nuclear fusion

💬 One quote: “We need nuclear expertise in order to combat climate change,” said Sara Pozzi, professor at the University of Michigan

📈 One stat: Between 2012 and 2022, U.S. graduates with a bachelor's in nuclear engineering dropped from 600 to 454—down 25%

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