A panel discussion about nuclear power held at Boise State University revealed a huge demand for jobs in the industry now and in the future.
Dr. Mark Peters, the Lab Director at the Idaho National Laboratory, says last year the INL -- a national, leading nuclear research facility near Idaho Falls -- hired 500 people, and this year "would probably hire more than 500."
He said more than 30% of their workforce was more than 50 years of age, and stressed the importance of maintaining and enhancing strategic relationships with universities throughout Idaho to make sure people who wanted to enter the industry would be properly trained for the field.
Mark Rudin, the Vice President of Research and Economic Development at Boise State University affirmed that there was a demand in the industry, and Boise State University was a strategic partner with the INL in recruiting and developing curriculum so the industry's job qualifications can be met. "There needs to be a pipeline of talent that keeps the nuclear program and other activities at the lab moving forward."
The Idaho National Laboratory has internships available, which include publishing and presenting papers. Interns span a wide range of science, technology, engineering and math fields, ranging from archaeology to communications, industrial safety, national security, nuclear engineering and more.
For more information about the INL internships, visit www.inl.gov/careers.
