In June 2027, the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics (NEEP) and the College of Engineering’s Interdisciplinary Professional Programs (InterPro) will offer a new short course to help nuclear professionals advance their careers and support workforce development for the significantly growing nuclear energy industry.
Developed in partnership with the American Nuclear Society (ANS), the five-day, in-person Nuclear Energy Essentials for the Nuclear Workforce course helps students learn what they need to know to achieve the new ANS Certified Nuclear Professional (CNP) credential, which establishes industry standards and serves as a comprehensive measure of knowledge and competencies essential for professionals working in the nuclear field.
Earning this credential requires passing a rigorous exam, which assesses knowledge in key areas such as nuclear fundamentals, safety culture, health physics, regulatory concepts, fuel cycle and waste management, industry codes and standards, non-power applications, and nuclear power.
“This new credential is a stamp of quality for professionals, enabling them to demonstrate their foundational knowledge of nuclear science and technology and establish their credibility with employers,” says Paul Wilson, Grainger Professor of Nuclear Engineering at UW-Madison, who will teach the course.
After seeing growing demand for a course to prepare professionals to take the exam, ANS turned to UW-Madison’s NEEP department and InterPro—which provides education to working professionals—to create it.
“ANS recognizes that UW-Madison has the intellectual strength to design, develop and deliver this course as well as outstanding resources like the UW Nuclear Reactor and other facilities that really add value to the educational experience,” says Craig Piercy, ANS CEO. “Since the CNP exam was launched in 2025, the demand for additional study resources has continued to increase. We’re excited to partner with UW-Madison to add this course to complement other study aids available, including our CNP Study Guide and Practice Exam.”
The course provides participants the unique opportunity to work with the reactor—one of only a handful of university reactors in the country—giving them rich hands-on learning that extends beyond preparation for the CNP exam.
As interest in nuclear energy continues to grow, the need for education and workforce development is growing with it, says Ed Borbely, College of Engineering associate dean for interdisciplinary professional programs. “Preparing the next generation of nuclear professionals will require contributions from universities, industry and professional organizations,” Borbely says. “This course is one example of how those groups can work together to help build the workforce our state and our nation will need.”
Wilson says the course will also be beneficial for non-nuclear professionals who are interested in transitioning their career into the nuclear energy sector. “This course and the CNP credential help people declare their preparedness for working in the nuclear industry,” Wilson says. “Many of the projected new jobs in the nuclear industry will be filled by engineers from non-nuclear fields, professionals in the finance sector, and people in the trades and skilled labor. This course offers a great entry point for people interested in pursuing opportunities in the nuclear industry.”
For Wilson, the course is part of a larger workforce development effort he’s spearheading to harness the expertise of NEEP faculty to help enhance nuclear education and outreach at high schools, technical colleges and other Universities of Wisconsin campuses.
“The NEEP department has a very clear vested interest in the nuclear industry succeeding, so we’re working to grow our involvement with a variety of programs and communities to help ensure that we have a strong nuclear workforce,” Wilson says.
About the American Nuclear Society: Founded in 1954, the American Nuclear Society is an international professional, educational and scientific organization of more than 12,000 engineers, scientists, educators, students and others dedicated to advancing nuclear science and technology for the benefit of humanity.
Featured image caption: Participants in the new Nuclear Energy Essentials for the Nuclear Workforce course will have the opportunity to work with the UW Nuclear Reactor (pictured). Credit: Joel Hallberg.