Keith Loria at Construction Dive reports North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU) and Bechtel 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 (AI), 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. 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 non-building construction starts climbed 17% overall, according to recent data from the Dodge Construction Network. Additionally, Dodge reported electric power and utility construction activity surged more than 350% month over month in March due to several mega-project starts. According to NABTU, the effort is intended to help Workers adapt to increasingly digital jobsites while reinforcing AI is meant to support skilled Craft Labor rather than replace it.

To Continue Reading This Apprenticeship And Training Labor News Story, Go To: Bechtel, NABTU launch nuclear apprenticeship push as power demand rises | Construction Dive