Y-12 Blog
Y-12 recently earned the gold-level distinction from the East Tennessee Wellness Roundtable.
Y-12’s LiveWise program recently earned gold-level distinction from the East Tennessee Wellness Roundtable. The program recognizes East Tennessee workplaces that exemplify excellence in wellness. Y-12 is a member of the roundtable, as are several businesses, educational institutes, non-profit organizations, and medical facilities.
“To achieve ETWR gold status, worksites must demonstrate a supportive wellness infrastructure and must meet a certain number of criteria related to physical activity, nutrition, mental health and substance abuse, and tobacco use and prevention,” said Rebecca Ellison, chair of the roundtable. “You all do SO many wonderful things. …You met six out of six of the infrastructure requirements (and only four are required for gold) because you have leadership support for wellness initiatives, have a wellness plan and a wellness committee, you communicate wellness goals and initiatives with employees, you formally evaluate your wellness activities, and you conduct employee interest surveys.”
CNS Health and Wellness supervisor Karen Lacey said that while the ETWR organization is based in Knoxville with many of its resources located there, the recognition is appreciated. “We are thrilled to be recognized for all the great things CNS does to promote the health and wellness of its employees. We’ve had long-term recognition from organizations such as the American Heart Association and the American Cancer Society, so adding this accolade to our reputation only helps solidify our commitment to help Y 12 employees maintain the best health possible.”
Lacey added that the ETWR website does offer wellness articles and information about area farmers markets, and Knoxville residents can benefit from information about greenways and parks, as well as fitness and activities.
Ben Green shares Y-12 additive manufacturing capabilities to local STEM teachers.
In an effort to better understand the changing job market, STEM teachers from across East Tennessee attended a professional development day program, sponsored by Consolidated Nuclear Security (CNS), at the Y-12 National Security Complex on June 22, 2017.
CNS Vice President and Y-12 Site Manager, Bill Tindal, briefed the group on the history and continuing mission at Y-12; and the importance of having a qualified workforce, both now and in the future. In addition to Tindal’s introduction, the group also toured Y-12’s advanced manufacturing facilities and heard from a panel of professionals on the nature of Y-12’s business and workplace culture. The speakers focused on student learning and how it directly intersects with what is required in the workplace.
The panelists included Ashley Stowe, Renee Harper, Travis Howerton, Mea Reeves, and Mike Thompson.
Harper discussed the pressures students face at an early age and the decisions they are asked to make. She encouraged the teachers to remind their students that, while these decisions are important, they are not set in stone. “These decisions don’t have to dictate the rest of your life,” she said. “You will get plenty of other opportunities to change course.”
Howerton also had some advice for the teachers. “To me, success looks a lot like hard work. Learning the value of hard work matters a lot,” he said and encouraged the teachers to instill that work ethic in their students.
“The entire day was invigorating,” said Linda Reedy, an instructor at Concord Christian School. “We were treated to a demonstration of Y-12’s 3-D manufacturing capabilities and we heard from experts about what we can do to better prepare our students for today’s workplace.”
The visit was part of a professional development opportunity by STEMspark, the East Tennessee Education hub of the Tennessee STEM Innovation Network and the nationwide STEMx Coalition.
Y-12’s most recent apprentice graduates.
Y-12 recently celebrated its sixth apprentice class since reinstatement of the program in 2008. This class of 13 is the first to include apprentices in the machinist classification.
It has been a long journey for the apprentices. For the nine machinists, that journey included three years of year-round classes on Fridays and evenings at Pellissippi State Community College (PSCC). The four electricians completed their training at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) training facility in Knoxville. The electricians are represented by IBEW Local Union 760, and the machinists are represented by Machinist Local Union 480.
Tim Milligan, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration chief steward, noted that the program positions Y-12 for the long term when skilled craft workers are in high demand. He said, “The apprenticeship program is our guarantee that we will be able to meet our future production goals.”
Milligan acknowledged the program’s success was a result of a partnership between Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC; the union instructors and training coordinators; the Atomic Trades and Labor Council (ATLC); PSCC administration and instructors; and Y-12’s Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee, which consists of three managers and three union representatives.
CNS President and Chief Executive Officer Morgan Smith addressed the graduates and encouraged them to pay it forward. He said, “Y-12 has an enduring mission—and you will help ensure its success. As your career progresses, use the skills you hone and develop to help prepare that next generation.”
National Nuclear Security Production Office Manager Geoff Beausoleil echoed Smith’s remarks, stating “this apprenticeship program continues to help ensure an enduring workforce dedicated to Y-12’s important national security mission.”
ATLC President Mike Thompson congratulated the new journeymen and assured them they will continue to learn and become more proficient in their skills. He also acknowledged that their success comes with a responsibility. “You are the ones who will take our place and carry on the proud tradition of being some of the most skilled tradesmen in the world,” he said.
CNS’s Travis Howerton, senior director of Transformation, serves on the Cyber and Information Security Consortium board of directors.
Travis Howerton, senior director of Transformation, is representing Consolidated Nuclear Security (CNS) on the Cyber and Information Security Consortium. The group is a non-profit corporation formed last year by Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and the University of Tennessee (UT), along with Cisco Systems, Y-12 National Security Complex, Sword & Shield Enterprise Security, the East Tennessee Economic Council, and other private corporations, to position the region as a national leader in the development and deployment of cutting-edge cyber security technologies.
“The consortium is still in early phases,” said Howerton. “Membership is growing, and they do two big get-togethers per year. We are working at the state level now to gain grant money to expand capabilities.”
Howerton said the consortium has a variety of roles and interests, including peer networking and recruiting of cyber talent; workforce development (partnering with colleges and universities on a talent pipeline, just signing an agreement with Pellissippi State Community College); and public awareness of policy issues (currently working with UT’s Baker Center on education about cyber issues). Most of the research and development is driven by ORNL, but there are some longer-term interests based on CNS work.
“Right now, it is a chance for CNS to be seen in the community and working with others on an initiative that could solve some meaningful problems in our area and grow jobs over the mid to long term.
The Uranium Processing Facility (UPF) was the top fundraising team in Tennessee for the Polar Plunge, raising more than $14,000 for Special Olympics.
“The generosity of our colleagues at UPF is always inspiring,” said Sarah Troutman of the NextGen group, which sponsored the Polar Plunge at UPF, “but this year they outdid themselves and exceeded our highest expectations.”
Individuals collect donations to determine who will take the Polar Plunge, a leap into the University of Tennessee’s outdoor swimming pool. The UPF team total was $14,230, nearly $5,500 more than last year’s fundraising total.
The Polar Plunge raises funds for Special Olympics Tennessee, which provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
NextGen is an employee resource group focused on supporting the orientation, development, retention, and empowerment of employees as they begin and build their careers.