Antares and USCA sign agreement to strengthen nuclear workforce development

Collaboration seeks to create pathways between classroom and careers in advanced nuclear energy

Antares, a nuclear fission energy systems company with an office in downtown Aiken, today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with USCA, formalizing a partnership focused on student engagement, workforce development and regional collaboration.

The MOU establishes a framework for joint seminars, workshops, internships and other educational and professional development opportunities that connect USCA students directly with industry practitioners working on real-world engineering and energy challenges.

USCA is a regional comprehensive university with a mission centered on serving its community through teaching, research and partnerships that strengthen the local economy. This agreement reflects a shared commitment to ensuring students in the region have access to meaningful, hands-on experiences and clear pathways into high-impact technical careers.

“Partnerships like this help us build a durable workforce for the future and ensure that our industry grows sustainably,” said Jordan Bramble, Antares CEO. “USCA plays a critical role in the region, and we’re excited to work with their faculty and students. South Carolina has been a cornerstone of America's nuclear industry since the 1950s.  It is a nuclear-knowledgeable and nuclear-friendly state that derives more than half its electricity from nuclear energy.”

Through the partnership, Antares and USCA will collaborate on:

• Guest lectures, seminars, and technical workshops led by Antares engineers and leaders
• Internship and experiential learning opportunities for USCA students
• Ongoing engagement to align academic programs with evolving industry needs

For students, the partnership offers exposure to cutting-edge energy technologies and insight into careers in engineering, manufacturing and applied science. For the region, it represents continued investment in workforce readiness and stronger connections between higher education and the resurgent nuclear energy industry.

“We are excited to initiate this new partnership with Antares Industries, which offers unique opportunities to our students – and our region,” said Dr. Daniel Heimmermann, chancellor of USCA. “Our collective effort will help attract more top engineering talent to the state, retain graduates and increase applied research at USCA.”

The agreement builds on Antares’ broader efforts to partner with universities, national labs, and industry leaders to support workforce development and strengthen the ecosystems required to deliver next-generation energy systems.

As one of the select group of companies participating in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Reactor Pilot Program, Antares is helping to lead the modern American nuclear buildout. The company is on track to reach criticality in its first demonstration reactor, Mark-0, by July 4, 2026.

Local media outlets such as FOX 54, WJBF News Channel 6 and the Aiken Standard also covered the event to assist with spreading the word about the partnership.

For more information, contact us at news@usca.edu.