The Columbia Basin College (CBC) Nuclear Technology program offers one-year certificates and two-year Associate of Applied Science Degrees in Nuclear Technology in three options:
- Non-licensed Nuclear Operator
- Radiation Protection Technician
- Instrumentation and Control Technician
Students working toward the AAS degree earn a Nuclear Technology one-year certificate upon successful completion of their first-year requirements. Atop of the AAS degree, graduates may also earn a National Academy for Nuclear Training Certificate, making them extremely competitive in the job market.
Graduates of the program can work within the nuclear industry in areas such as nuclear power plant operating and processing facilities, disposal of nuclear waste, laboratories, and other nuclear applications. Operators and Instrumentation and Control Technicians have transferable skills that allow them to also work in industries such as energy generation (wind, hydro, gas, and oil), process operations, and manufacturing.
CBC works closely with the nuclear industry, both locally and nationally. As 1 of 25 Nuclear Uniform Curriculum Programs (NUCP) in the U.S., CBC and Energy Northwest partner to ensure that the CBC Nuclear Technology program is aligned with the needs of the nuclear power industry and is consistent with the established standards for accredited utility training programs so that all graduates have the same basic knowledge necessary to be successful power plant workers.