Nuclear industry experiencing worker meltdown

In the next five years, just as the nuclear industry hopes to launch a renaissance, up to 19,600 nuclear workers-35 percent of the workforce-will reach retirement age.

Big energy construction will be booming in the next decade, concentrated in the South-not only nuclear generators but coal plants, liquefied natural gas terminals, oil refineries, and electricity transmission lines. All projects need skilled craft workers, and they are in drastically short supply. The utility Southern Co. estimates that existing energy facilities already are short 20,000 workers in the Southeast. That shortfall will balloon to 40,000 by 2011 because of the new construction.

Read More: Worker Shortage in Nuclear Industry