By Robin Sutton Anders
Framatome U.S. Headquarters – Old Forest Road location
Kellea Hogan, vice president of Human Resources for the Lynchburg-based Framatome, feels energized every day by her organization’s mission to shape the world’s clean energy future. “I can’t think of anything more important than our work toward the sustainability achieved through clean energy,” she says. “It’s a great feeling that the work we do is not just about Framatome’s profit and loss, but for the greater good of humanity.”
When the Inflation Reduction Act was signed into law in 2022, nuclear energy’s designation as a clean energy source was exciting news for Framatome. The designation paved the way for one of Lynchburg’s international industry leaders to expand its facilities — and to add over 500 new jobs. “Our customers are excited about the next wave of nuclear energy, and we’re excited to be here to support them,” says Hogan.
Nuclear Plant Enhancements
After their initial construction, nuclear reactor plants are licensed to operate for a certain number of years. The original lifespan of most plants was 40 years, but operators can apply for 20-year incremental extensions by meeting requirements set by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Through its work with plant life extensions, Framatome is helping plants shore up their existing fleet so they can not only be in operation longer, but so they can increase the amount of energy they’re able to produce.
“The types of programs we’re working on are both interesting and innovative,” says Hogan. As an example, she points to the buried pipes that run underground within existing nuclear power plants.
“These pipes degrade over time. Our development and engineering team came up with an unprecedented way to safely elongate the life of the existing pipe robotically without having to dig it up and replace it. The result is a streamlined solution to maintenance issues in nuclear plants’ water systems.”
To that end, Framatome recently committed a $50 million investment in its Virginia facilities. In addition to its work with plant life extensions, the company is developing advanced fuel designs for nuclear power plants. Framatome’s Advanced Fuel Management (AFM) program is focused on sustaining the existing light water reactor fleet and enhancing the safety and economics for plant operators.
This project builds on Framatome’s work with the Department of Energy. “When we talk about small modular and advanced reactors, we are talking about a shift in how our nation and the world will get clean energy,” she says. “We’re developing fuel features that offer operators enhanced safety, efficiencies, and reliability to keep clean nuclear power plants running 24 hours a day, 365 days per year.”
Powering Careers
As Framatome plans for unprecedented growth, the company has reimagined its Central Virginia Community College technician preparatory program. “We have a proud, 20-year relationship with CVCC,” says Hogan. “To ensure that program is delivering the next generation of nuclear technicians we need for the future, we spent the past year working with the leadership team there to revamp the program.”
The new Framatome Nuclear Technology Academy is a four-year, work-study program. New students rotate between a full slate of academic classes one semester, followed by a semester working for Framatome, primarily at customer sites. “Students spend half their time in school and half their time getting real-life, hands-on experience,” says Hogan. After repeating the school-work cycle for four years, they graduate with an associate’s degree.
The first class of Nuclear Technology Academy students started in the fall of 2023. Framatome plans to hire 100 students over the next five years. “It’s become very competitive,” Hogan says. “We had just under 100 applicants for our first 15 hired academy students.”
Students receive full-time pay and benefits, and the program covers the full cost of tuition, fees, books, and expenses — “everything down to calculators and notebooks,” adds Hogan. “If you work hard and do well, our commitment is that you will transition seamlessly into a post-graduate position.”
When Hogan started her first job with Framatome in 2003, she couldn’t have imagined staying with one employer for 20 years. “But Framatome does a phenomenal job of creating challenging work experiences and rotating people through different parts of the business.”
Far from feeling like a cog in a wheel, Hogan has always felt her contributions were valued. “The average tenure at Framatome is 25 years,” she says. “We heavily invest in our total rewards package, constantly benchmark compensation and benefits to be sure we’re above market, and we offer a solid work-life balance for folks. It’s always a partnership between the business and the employee.”
Recruiting Employees to Lynchburg
From time to time, people ask Hogan if she struggles to recruit people to move to Lynchburg. “Not after I get them here!” she laughs. “We have so much to offer. I love all the events going on downtown. The Academy is a gem that contributes so much in terms of culture and opportunity to the area. We also have a lot to offer for outdoor enthusiasts.”
The Lynchburg area’s cost of living is also a plus. “I tell recruits when we hire them, your dollar will go a lot farther here than it will in other areas,” she says. “We’ve hit the sweet spot between not being too big or too small. There are lots of ways to get involved in the community and feel like you’re legitimately contributing. I think it’s an exceptional place to call home, from both a personal and a business perspective.”
Robin Sutton Anders is a Greensboro, N.C.-based writer and the managing editor of Verdant Word Communications.