Ridgewater College has been awarded a $90,000 Trade School and Community College Scholarship grant from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). The grant will support the first year of a newly developed diploma program designed to train non-destructive examination (NDE) technicians for the nuclear power industry, with the majority of funds allocated for student scholarships.
The new Fast-Track Ultrasonic NDE diploma program was developed in collaboration with the Electric Power Research Institute to address the projected shortage of skilled technicians in the nuclear sector. This 68-credit program includes 48 newly developed credits and 20 credits from Ridgewater’s existing NDE curriculum.
A significant portion of the NRC grant will fund up to 10 student scholarships, covering approximately 65 percent of tuition, fees, and books. Additionally, a portion of the grant will offset operational costs, including personnel and equipment. Scholarships will be distributed through the Ridgewater College Foundation.
The program is part of an industry-funded initiative aimed at accelerating the qualification and certification process for NDE professionals. The curriculum meets all regulatory standards and incorporates state-of-the-art technology to ensure comprehensive training for future technicians.
Ridgewater College is one of only two academic institutions chosen to pilot the program, selected for its established reputation as a leader in NDE education. Students in the program will receive focused training on nuclear applications, including 1,050 hours of hands-on ultrasonic examination experience. They will conduct inspections on flawed mock-up PDI samples provided by the Electric Power Research Institute and undergo extensive lab training, spending 30 hours per week gaining experience with pressurized water reactor (PWR) and boiling water reactor (BWR) nuclear power plant inspections.
With a 35-year legacy in nondestructive testing education, Ridgewater College continues to lead in equipping professionals with the expertise needed to sustain and advance the nuclear power industry. The introduction of the Fast-Track Ultrasonic NDE program represents a significant step toward meeting industry demands while providing students with a unique and highly specialized career path.
