Press Release – USW & FRNP Offering Free Training for Local Job

January 3, 2023

USW Training Coordinator
Rusty Reynolds
(270) 816‐4174

The United Steelworkers Union (USW) Local 8‐550, Four Rivers Nuclear Partnership (FRNP), the Tony Mazzocchi Center for Health, Safety, and Environmental Education, the Paducah Chamber of Commerce, Local and State Leaders, and the West Kentucky Community and Technical College announced they are working together to offer free training for local job seekers who desire to become qualified to apply for open positions at the Department of Energy (DOE) Paducah Site, as well as for the existing workers so they can cross‐train to maintain employment as work scope and skill mix requirements change. The training programs are free of charge through a grant from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) of the National Institute of Health (NIH) to provide training at DOE Nuclear Weapons Complexes.

Applicants must be at least 18 years old prior to the start date of the course. The class will be
“Radiological Control Technician” training and is planned to start Tuesday, March 7th 2023. This class will qualify you to apply for the JR Radiological Control Technician position and is not a guarantee of employment. The JR RCT position is required to work in extreme temperature environments wearing various types and layers of PPE.

While the training is free, the student will be responsible for paying for the WorkKeys testing, drug screen, and background check, estimated to be $155.

Those interested in participating in this training must first sign up for WorkKeys Testing through the West Kentucky Community and Technical College by calling (270) 534‐3322. Please call at least one day before requested test day. Test results from the preceding 12 months can also be used to qualify for the program.

WorkKeys Test Sections Administered & Required Score:
Graphic Literacy 5 or higher
Workplace Documents 5 or higher
Applied Mathematics 5 or higher

Cost:
The cost is $90 for all three test sections ($30 per section). Applicants will be required to bring payment to the testing office on the date of the test.

Location:
West Kentucky Community and Technical College
5100 Alben Barkley Dr.,
Paducah Ky 42001

Materials:
WorkKeyes Testers are required to bring a picture ID. Individuals not having a picture ID will not be permitted to test. Individuals may bring an approved calculator and pencils. Scratch paper will be made available.

Test Results:
A hard copy of the score report will be given to the tester.

Individuals who meet the qualifying score will need to bring their WorkKeys results to the USW Local 550 Union Hall at: 2525 Cairo Rd., Paducah Ky 42001.

Please call for appointment time. (270) 442‐3668

Each individual who brings a qualified WorkKeys score report will be given an application packet for admission into the program.

Applications will be due back to the USW Local 550 Union Hall by 4 PM Thursday, January 19th.

If selected into the program, applicants will be required to pass a drug screen and a background check. The background check is done through an online entity and takes approximately ten days to process. The fee for this is $20.00. The drug screen is administered through Baptist Health and is estimated to be $45.