Regional Workforce Discussions Continue
On June 13, 2016, Aiken County teachers and guidance counselors visited area manufacturing facilities to take a closer look at apprenticeship programs and potential career paths for high school students. The group also attended presentations by the Savannah River Site Community Reuse Organization (SRSCRO), and the South Carolina Economic Development Partnership about the future needs of the area's workforce. The day came to an end with a tour of Aiken Technical College's Center for Energy and Advanced Manufacturing.
Also, as part of the 2016 Leadership of Aiken County Quality of Life Day event on June 14th, the group heard from the SRSCRO about the needs of the future workforce in the region. As leaders in the community, it was stressed that the group should not lose focus of how important sustaining quality of life is to the future workforce in the region. These facets include education, economic development, recreation, professional and civic organizations, and other amenities that make Aiken or anywhere in the region a great place to live.
Another discussion including workforce, among other economic development topics, is occurring on the Georgia side of the river as part of the Development Authority of Columbia County's efforts to create an actionable economic development strategy for the County. The Board of Directors for the Development Authority began the strategic planning process on June 15 with a kick-off breakfast and the start of community focus groups. The overall process is committed to involving as many individuals and groups as possible. Such input is essential to the planning efforts, and the strong community engagement will be vital to fully meet and exceed the expectations of both the current and future stakeholders and residents.
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Teachers Attend Nuclear Institute
Thirty educators from Georgia and South Carolina took a deep dive into
 nuclear technology at this year's Southeastern Summer Nuclear Institute. The teachers came from middle and high schools across both states for the three-day focus on all things nuclear. Recognized experts provided sessions on nuclear fundamentals, nuclear applications and power generation fundamentals. The extraordinary program, organized by the Citizens for Nuclear Technology Awareness, was highlighted by three days of specialized tours that included Savannah River Site, Plant Vogtle and Augusta University's nuclear medicine program.
"I love it! I want to come again next year." Dr. Amanda Litfin, a literature teacher at A.R. Johnson Magnet High School in Augusta, GA was one of the participants. "This is the most engaging conference I have been to in years. I think all educators could learn something valuable from this program," Dr. Litfin remarked.
 Captain Kevin Byrne, Commanding Officer of the Naval Nuclear Power Training Command in Charleston, South Carolina was the dinner speaker one evening. He explained the skills needed for success in the rigorous nuclear program and described the changes he has seen in new recruits. He noted that math skills have declined in recent years. Captain Byrne explained the systems used in the program to engage today's naval students.
Local nuclear careers and educational options were also in the spotlight. College educators and students spoke about their nuclear programs and experiences. Mindy Mets, Nuclear Workforce Initiative Program Manager for the SRSCRO, provided details on regional nuclear workforce needs and the many training opportunities available locally. The workforce session highlighted nuclear skills that are also in demand by multiple industry sectors, such as advanced manufacturing, information technology and healthcare.
Teachers were involved in hands-on programs throughout the Institute.
 From virtual reality tools in development at the Savannah River National Laboratory to industrial applications of nuclear technology, the event provided insight and practical tools for educators to share with their future students.
The SRSCRO sponsored the Institute in collaboration with others in the region.
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DOE Sustainability Award
For the first time ever, the SRS Community Reuse Organization (SRSCRO) and Savannah River Site (SRS) management team have jointly received a
2016 Energy Sustainability Award, a prestigious Department of Energy (DOE) recognition.
Each year, DOE acknowledges outstanding performances by sites and individuals who contribute significantly to government-wide programs. SRSCRO often uses excess and operating resources at SRS to benefit local communities - a positive example of sustainability. Through the joint partnership, surplus government-owned items and no-longer needed equipment can be sold to augment DOE missions and promote local economic development. Prior to public advertising, those items also may be used to stimulate the business climate in a five-county area and initiate quality-of-life programs, if specific needs are identified.
Electronics, furniture, air conditioners, copper wire, generators and heavy equipment are commonly sold. Bolin Marketing Group, a local leader in the industrial surplus market, partners with SRSCRO on a subcontract basis to remove and sell assets from SRS.
 SRS and SRSCRO expanded these opportunities in fiscal year 2015 with an "assets for services" business arrangement that strengthens relationships between SRS and the SRSCRO. By reinvesting money recouped from surplus and unused items, SRSCRO can help create jobs, sponsor new business development and advocate for Site missions locally and regionally.
Last year, DOE-SR and the Site's management and operations contractor,
 Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS), worked with SRSCRO to disassemble 12 large transformers and four circuit breakers from a now-closed power plant at the Site's D Area. Recovered were 678,000 pounds of copper and other metals, and 56,921 gallons of transformer oil. SRSCRO also is removing fire retardant, office trailers, and refrigerant units, including icemakers, heating and ventilating components, refrigerators and water coolers.
In 2014, SRSCRO also disbursed nearly $1 million for infrastructure improvement projects in Aiken, Allendale and Barnwell in South Carolina and Richmond and Columbia counties in Georgia.
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Spotlight
EMAB
Environmental Management Advisory Board (EMAB)
On May 10-11, 2016, the Environmental Management Advisory Board (EMAB) held its spring meeting in the SRS area. The SRSCRO, among others, were part of a panel discussion entitled:
How to Attract and Retain Younger Workers for Environmental Management (EM). The mission of EMAB is to provide independent and external advice, information, and recommendations to the Assistant Secretary for Environmental Management (EM). The membership of EMAB includes individuals from governmental and nongovernmental entities, private industry, and scientific and academic communities.
The Board works to identify applicable private sector best management practices and provides counsel on how to integrate them into the EM program. The Board works with the private sector to identify barriers to the effective execution of the Assistant Secretary's program objectives and facilitates discussions between the Department and private industry for knowledge sharing. Lastly, EMAB provides strategic management advice on where and how to focus the Program's resources to achieve maximum impact and greatest risk reduction.
One focus of the current Board is how to attract, manage, train, and retain the best federal workforce to meet future mission needs of EM.
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Flag
Fun Facts
1. The first American flag was sewn by Betsy Ross in May of 1776.
2. Congress adopted the Stars and Stripes as the American flag on June 14, 1777.
3. The colors of the flag have important meanings. Red symbolizes Hardiness and Valor, White symbolizes Purity and Innocence and Blue represents Vigilance, Perseverance and Justice.
4. The first Flag Day observance was on June 14, 1885, when 19-year-old school teacher Bernard J. Cigrand placed a 38-inch star flag in a bottle on his desk. He assigned essays about the flag and its significance.
5. In 1894, the governor of New York directed that the flag be displayed on all public buildings on June 14.
6. On May 30, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a presidential proclamation establishing Flag Day as the anniversary of the Flag Resolution.
7. On August 3, 1949, President Truman signed an Act of Congress that would designate June 14 of each year as National Flag Day.
8. When the flag can no longer be repaired or used, it must be destroyed in a dignified matter, such as burning.
9. If dirty or soiled, an American flag may be washed and dry cleaned.
10. If a flag touches the ground, it does not have to be destroyed. Instead, just wash it if it's dirty.
11. There are specific rules for the display of the flag, including:
* The flag should be displayed from sunrise to sunset. If the flag is displayed at nigh,t it should be illuminated.
* Never allow the flag to touch the ground or the floor.
* When displayed on a wall or window, the blue field should be in the upper left corner.
* The flag should be raised quickly and lowered ceremoniously.
12. 95% of American flags are manufactured in the United States.
13. The military folds the flag with 13 folds, each with symbolic meaning.
14. Flag Day is observed nationwide, but Pennsylvania is the only state that recognizes it as a legal holiday.
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