'Great Milestone:' Citizens for Nuclear Technology Awareness celebrates 30th anniversary
Oct. 22—2021 marked the 30th anniversary of the founding of Citizens for Nuclear Technology Awareness.
The organization that provides information about the benefits of nuclear technology recently held a dinner to celebrate its pearl anniversary at Newberry Hall.
Jim Marra, executive director of the organization, said the anniversary is a great milestone.
"It's a great milestone," Marra said. "Not many organizations make it this long, especially a non-profit organization. It's truly a testament to the dedication of the various members and to the people who have supported this organization over the years."
CNTA was founded in 1991 by a small group of citizens and companies looking to form an unashamedly pro-nuclear organization that would provide factual information about the benefits of the nuclear industry and the Savannah River Site in particular. An additional mission was to educate elected officials about the need for additional missions at the site.
Marra credited the workers at SRS for keeping the organization going because of their dedication to the industry.
He smiled as he thought about telling some of the long-time members that the organization had reached 30 years of existence. He said some of the long-time members' first reactions are to look at pictures and realize how much they've changed.
Over time the organization has added a new mission, to provide information to students potentially interested in working in the industry.
The nuclear industry is one of several industries that face a rapidly aging (and retiring) workforce.
"The companies in this industry call it the great gray tsunami," Marra said. "It is clearly upon us if it hasn't been upon us for the last five or 10 years. There's a noticeable change in the industry and, fortunately, the companies are noticing that."
CNTA awarded $12,000 in scholarships in 2021 to teachers and students.
Marra said the workforce at SRS has come down in age significantly recently. He added there are "unbelievable" scholarship opportunities for college students looking at a degree in the nuclear industry.
He said it was gratifying to think about a student first exposed to the nuclear industry through a CNTA education program getting a scholarship and then coming back to Aiken to work at the site.
Another benefit of being the executive director of CNTA is listening to the stories of young professionals from SRS that join the organization.
CNTA offers a free membership to young professionals at SRS. In 2021, over 150 young professionals were members of the organization.
Often, Marra said, those young professionals that join will be third generation workers at the site.
"It's a wonderful thing to see," Marra said.
The organization also hosts Up and Atom educational breakfast, a fundraising golf tournament, an annual lecture, and several events for young professionals.
For more information about the organization, visit cntaware.org.
