2021 marks the 30th anniversary of the founding of Citizens for Nuclear Technology Awareness.
An organization that provides information on the benefits of nuclear technology recently hosted a Pearl Day dinner at Newbury Hall.
Jim Marra, executive director of the organization, said the anniversary is a big milestone.
“This is a great milestone,” Mara said. “There are not many organizations that have been around that long, especially non-profits.
CNTA was founded in 1991 by a small group of citizens and businesses who wanted to form an organization that would unabashedly advance nuclear power, providing factual information about the interests of the nuclear industry, and specifically the Savannah River Site. An additional duty was to educate elected officials on the need for additional duties at the site.
Marra credited the dedication of SRS workers to the industry to keep the organization alive.
He smiled as he thought about telling some of the longtime members that the organization had been in existence for 30 years. He said some of the longtime members’ first reactions were to look at the photos and realize how much they’ve changed.
Over time, the organization has added a new mission of providing information to students potentially interested in working in the industry.
The nuclear industry is one of several industries facing a rapidly aging (and retiring) workforce.
“Companies in this industry call it the gray tidal wave,” Marla said. “If she hasn’t been on us for the past 5 years or 10 years, it’s clearly our fault. There have been noticeable changes in the industry, and fortunately, companies are I’m starting to notice it.”
CNTA has awarded $12,000 in scholarships to teachers and students in 2021.
According to Marra, the age of SRS employees has dropped significantly recently. He added that there are “incredible” scholarship opportunities for college students pursuing degrees in the nuclear industry.
He said that students who had their first exposure to the nuclear industry through CNTA’s educational program were happy to consider getting a scholarship and returning to Aiken to work in the field.
Another benefit of being CNTA’s Executive Director is hearing from young SRS professionals who join the organization.
CNTA offers free membership to SRS young professionals. By 2021, over 150 young professionals will be members of the organization.
According to Marra, the young professionals who participate are often the third generation of workers in the field.
“It’s great to see,” said Mara.
The organization also hosts educational breakfasts for Up and Atom, golf tournaments for fundraising, annual speaking engagements, and several events for young professionals.
For more information about the organization, please visit cntaware.org.
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