Also called: Non-Licensed Operator, Auxiliary Operator
Walks the plant checking pumps, valves, and tanks and operates equipment outside the control room.
You make rounds through turbine halls and pump rooms, read gauges, and swap equipment on orders from the control room. Many become licensed reactor operators later.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
High school diploma, about 1 year after high school. High school diploma plus 1-2 years of plant training; some have an associate degree.
Ways in: On-the-job training, 2-year college, Military. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Majors to look at: Nuclear Engineering Technology.
Shrinking (about -3% over 10 years).
Low risk for 10 years. Sensors cover some rounds, but nuclear rules and hands-on valve and pump work keep these operators needed.
Classes: Physics, Chemistry, Algebra.
Official data: O*NET occupation 51-8013.
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