Dive Brief:
- Bechtel and North America’s Building Trades Unions have signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at modernizing apprenticeship programs for nuclear construction projects, including both traditional reactors and small modular reactors.
- The initiative comes as nuclear construction activity accelerates alongside rising electricity demand tied to artificial intelligence, data centers and electrification.
- Bechtel said the partnership is designed to align training programs with evolving nuclear construction methods while maintaining strict safety and quality standards required on nuclear projects.
Dive Insight:
The agreement also reflects broader growth across the power construction market. Utility and gas construction starts increased 59.3% during the 12 months ending February 2026, while nonbuilding construction starts climbed 17% overall, according to recent data from the Dodge Construction Network.
Additionally, Dodge reported that electric power and utility construction activity surged more than 350% month over month in March due to several megaproject starts. Analysts have increasingly tied that activity to the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure and hyperscale data centers, both of which are expected to require significant new power generation and grid investment over the next decade.
Bechtel said the agreement is intended to help ensure apprenticeship programs evolve alongside modern nuclear construction methods as utilities and developers move more projects into active development.
“As one of the nation’s largest employers of craft professionals, Bechtel has long known what it takes to recruit, train and retain a highly skilled construction workforce,” a company spokesperson told Construction Dive. “This MOU isn’t about filling a sudden gap; it’s about seizing an opportunity as advanced nuclear technologies move from concept to construction and the skills required to deliver them continue to evolve.”
The company pointed to growing interest in nuclear generation as utilities seek reliable low-carbon power sources capable of supporting rising electricity demand from AI infrastructure, manufacturing growth and electrification.
“Rather than a single inflection point, we see a steady ramp-up as utilities and developers recognize nuclear’s role in providing reliable, low-carbon power at scale,” the spokesperson said.
Bechtel is currently involved in several major nuclear efforts, including the Natrium advanced reactor project in Wyoming and early-phase work at Tennessee Valley Authority’s Clinch River small modular reactor project in Knoxville, Tennessee.
While large-scale nuclear plants and SMRs differ in scale and execution, Bechtel noted apprenticeship training will continue to emphasize the same foundational principles.
Earlier this year, NABTU partnered with Microsoft on a nationwide initiative focused on AI training for construction trades workers. The program is designed to expand AI literacy, data security awareness and practical jobsite applications across NABTU’s network of roughly 1,700 training centers.
According to NABTU officials, the effort is intended to help workers adapt to increasingly digital jobsites while reinforcing that AI is meant to support skilled craft labor rather than replace it.
