Washington Business Fall 2016 | Washington Business | Page 45

business backgrounder | education & workforce “They enjoy doing it. They like to share what they know about the nuclear industry,” Keith said. And that makes a difference to the students, said Brett Crusselle, 33, of Pasco, who graduated in the spring and got a full-time job as a nuclear chemical operator for Washington River Protection Solutions, which employs 14 program graduates. “They really want us to succeed and they want us to be the next generation of nuclear workers,” he said. It’s a role Crusselle said he takes seriously. “We’re cleaning up the legacy of Hanford. … We’re protecting the environment, the river and the area for those who live out here, and making sure it’s properly taken care of,” he said. “Even though it has a nuclear focus, our students can go into other areas. Our graduates are very versatile.” — Janese Thatcher, dean for computer science, engineering, and career & technical education, Columbia Basin College Nuclear Energy Career Salaries Share your business with top decision makers in Washington state. Washington Business magazine is distributed to more than 8,000 subscribers ranging from CEOs and managers to owners of small, medium and large businesses statewide. Our readers—including top executives, industry leaders and state and national lawmakers—are your customers. Target your message and get results with Washington Business magazine. Median salaries of U.S. nuclear energy workers Instrument & Control Technician Mechanical Technician $53,480 $53,830 Electrical Technician Non-licensed Operator $58,070 $65,080 Radiation Protection Technician Senior Reactor Operator $69,720 $76,020 Chemistry Technician $76,870 To inquire about our rates: Call: 360.736.8065 E-mail: [email protected] Download a rate card: www.awb.org/WaBusinessAds fall 2016 45