To keep up with the demand for qualified entry-level employees, Nevada National Security Sites (NNSS) is partnering with the College of Southern Nevada (CSN) to establish the NNSS FastStart Program. The program, the first of its kind for NNSS, will train entry-level technicians to begin careers supporting NNSS.
“NNSS has a perennial need for skilled and trained staff to execute our national security mission,” said NNSS FastStart Program Director Paul Anderson. “Building talent pipelines with our local academic institutions is critical to meet our current and future talent needs to accomplish the mission. This is an exciting opportunity to share and partner resources with CSN to provide career path options for our local students.”
CSN is the only public education institution in this region to offer this type of training, which provides entry-level pathways with a particular focus on recruitment, outreach, and education of historically underserved populations. CSN is an Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution and a Hispanic Serving Institution and is the largest Minority Serving Institution within the Nevada System of Higher Education. Funding for the FastStart Program at CSN is also provided by a Community and Junior College Trade and Occupational Program (CJCTOP) grant through the DOE/NNSA Minority Serving Institution Partnership Program (MSIPP). In addition to the CJCTOP, NNSS MSIPP has internship programs through the Consortium on National Critical Infrastructure and the Nuclear Security Science and Technology Consortium.
To become part of the FastStart Program, students will enter as a traditional adult learner at CSN or as an early college student from Clark County School District (CCSD) high school programs.
To acquire traditional adult learners prepared specifically for NNSS’ unique mission, the NNSS FastStart Program is working with the CSN Engineering Technology: Electronics – Defense Contractor Technician degree program. CSN will also collaborate with CCSD to establish high school pathways via the Early College program and identify the applicable courses for the NNSS FastStart Program. This pipeline will benefit students by showing them that through their education, there are careers available.
