Mercer Times

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) is set to expand its apprenticeship program nationwide, supported by funding from the DOE’s Office of Science.

With $3 million in funding through DOE’s annual appropriations from the U.S. Congress, PPPL will hire four additional apprentices at the Laboratory. Additionally, on behalf of the Office of Science, PPPL will lead an effort to extend its model apprenticeship program to other national laboratories within the complex. These programs provide job training and education while preparing the next-generation workforce to address critical national priorities.

“Our apprentices are an enormous benefit to the Lab, the state of New Jersey and the nation,” said Steve Cowley, Laboratory director at PPPL, which is managed by Princeton University. “Expanding the scope and diversity of apprenticeships into nontraditional sectors and for those typically underrepresented in the program is a priority of the Biden administration, the state of New Jersey and our national laboratory. We’re thrilled by the renewed focus on apprenticeships at the federal and state level.”

“Expanding the apprenticeship program will allow other national laboratories to support the growth of the next generation of innovators and technicians, who are integral to the success of our scientific enterprise,” said Juston Fontaine, deputy director for operations in DOE’s Office of Science. “PPPL is to be commended for their tremendous efforts to initiate and foster this noteworthy program. Building upon their success, expanding it will not only provide more individuals with opportunities but also bolster science and technology goals."

Launched in 2019, PPPL’s apprenticeship program has grown from four to 18 apprentices across 18 occupations certified by the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL). Each job posting receives between 100 and 200 applications.

The program has expanded from traditional trades like electrical and mechanical engineering, welding, and HVAC to include fields like information technology, cybersecurity, environment safety, and health. Apprentices complete up to 8,000 hours of paid on-the-job training and 576 hours of technical instruction. The Lab graduated its first cohort in 2023; all joined as full-time employees.

The initiative was inspired by Cowley’s similar program at Culham Centre for Fusion Energy in the U.K., where he was director before joining PPPL in 2018. This effort allows highly skilled technicians at PPPL to pass along their expertise before retirement.

Among current apprentices is Sean Hough from Philadelphia who transitioned careers to become an electronics technician apprentice working on diagnostics for NSTX-U. After completing four years of training, Hough was hired as an instrumentation technician.

“The program was a one-of-a-kind opportunity,” Hough said. “It was a chance to enter a field and gain experience... It’s a foot in the door to great opportunities.”

Aaron Floyd started as part of PPPL's first cohort as a power systems technician apprentice; he is now pursuing an associate degree in electrical engineering at Mercer County Community College.

“This is not what I envisioned but it’s been life-changing,” Floyd said.

Abigail Fellnor works alongside Floyd as an electrical technician apprentice: “Everyone here is so kind... You get paid while learning.”

Jimmy Henderson Jr., another electronics technician apprentice echoed similar sentiments about benefiting both locally and nationally.

The Lab uses its plasma expertise across various fields contributing significantly towards U.S competitiveness while bolstering innovation economies locally & nationally equipping workers with long-range skills applicable across science & tech industries since inception receiving recognition including USDOL part President Biden's Apprenticeship Ambassador Initiative among others highlighting importance such initiatives promoting diversity inclusion STEM fields advancing scientific missions overall societal benefits noted Andrew Zwicker head strategic relationships PPPL expressing gratitude expanding model nationally

On Sept12 preliminary workshop hosted identifying labs joining office sciences' apprenticeship involving USDOL NJ Dept Labor Workforce Development community colleges technical schools determining occupations implementing foundational structures aiming formal launches early2025

Jeanne Jackson DeVoe contributed story