LOS ALAMOS, N.M. — Three staff members at Newport News Nuclear BWXT Los Alamos (N3B) recently received a nationally recognized award for their success in growing a skilled workforce in Northern New Mexico committed to radiological and hazardous waste cleanup at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL).
Dorian Newton, Mark Russell and Mike Davis, of N3B, were honored with the Teamwork Award from the Energy Facility Contactors Group (EFCOG) — a consortium of companies that perform work on behalf of the Department of Energy (DOE).
EFCOG collaborates to ensure DOE facilities, such as LANL, are operated and managed in a safe, environmentally sound, efficient and cost-effective manner. N3B is the DOE contractor that manages the cleanup of legacy radiological and hazardous waste generated at LANL before 1999.
Newton is N3B’s director of Technical Services, Russell is the deputy director of apprenticeship programs and training, and Davis is a part-time special projects manager with N3B’s Engineering and Nuclear Safety group. Davis is also the dean of Career, Technical and Continuing Education at Clarendon College in Texas.
One of EFCOG’s main strategic objectives is addressing workforce needs to help the DOE achieve its long-term mission.
“Dr. Newton, Mr. Russell and Dr. Davis brought together a team of industry-leading professionals with expertise in workforce development and disciplined operations to establish the first state-registered apprenticeship program for DOE nuclear operators,” said N3B President Glenn Morgan.
“This was done in active partnership with regional governmental agencies and local Northern New Mexico universities, and it’s received the attention and support of several New Mexico cabinet members,” Morgan added. “It also directly aligns with Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s regional and strategic goals for workforce development. The three awardees are part of an extremely qualified team committed to creating a homegrown workforce.”
In addition to its 96-week Nuclear Operators Apprenticeship Program, offered in partnership with Northern New Mexico College, N3B also offers 12-week Radiological Control Technician and Waste Processing Operator bootcamps in conjunction with the University of New Mexico-Los Alamos.
Students become full-time N3B employees once they begin coursework in their respective program. They are compensated at about $19 per hour and receive competitive benefits. Students also earn college credit and tuition is paid by N3B.
N3B is an HII Nuclear-led company with BWX Technologies, with critical subcontractors Longenecker & Associates and Tech2Solutions. N3B manages the $1.4 billion, 10-year Los Alamos Legacy Cleanup Contract for the DOE’s Environmental Management Los Alamos Field Office.