Developing the Plasma and Fusion Energy Workforce (DEI)

In 2019, PPPL created three engineering- and technician-focused training programs to develop and train future generations to meet the growing demand for a technical workforce in plasma physics and fusion energy. These include a 10-week Engineering Undergraduate Internship, a 2-Year Engineering Rotational Program, and the 4-Year technical Apprenticeship. The technical apprenticeship is a federally certified program, in partnership with the State of New Jersey, consisting of 4 years of on-the-job training and nearly 600 hours of formal instruction. These new programs are developing pipelines of talent in the plasma and fusion energy workforce in areas critical to bringing the science of fusion to practical reality. This presentation will discuss outcomes of the first year of implementation, lessons learned, pandemic adjustments, and new initiatives, especially in the areas of diversity and retention.