Frequently Asked Questions

Instructors expect students to be punctual, actively engaged in class, and courteous in their
behavior.

The school is not accredited at this time. The first step in accreditation is obtaining authorization
from the Georgia Nonpublic Post Secondary Education Commission (GNPEC). Since we
currently offer the program free of charge, we are not required to operate with GNPEC approval.

The maximum number of students in a class session is 8, allowing for enhanced teacher-student
interaction and hands-on experience.

Tuition is free

Students are required to have steel-toe boots. All other materials and tools will be provided by
the institute.

Students with mechanical or electrical aptitude will have an advantage. Additionally, we seek
students who demonstrate high levels of personal accountability, effective communication,
attention to detail, and the ability to work well in a team.

Unfortunately, there is no compensation or per diem provided for travel to the Kennesaw office,
lodging, or meals during the 6-week period.

There are no formal prerequisites, however, due to the mechanical and electrical nature of the
curriculum, we are seeking candidates that have a basic understanding of tools. Candidates that
have a demonstrated passion for taking things apart and putting them back together will find the
program particularly beneficial. A high school diploma or equivalent is required.

A typical school day begins at 8:00 A.M. with a review of previously covered material and an
opportunity to address any questions, thoughts, or concerns. A discussion of the day’s goals and
expectations follows. The instructor then moves forward into the curriculum. Lunch is one hour,
from 12:00 noon to 1:00 P.M. The day ends around 4:30 P.M. after addressing questions about
the day’s topics and setting goals for the following day along with at-home study expectations.
Throughout the week, students are given written knowledge checks to aid the instructor in
assessing each student’s individual needs.

You must stay home if you have a contagious disease. Some contagious diseases include:

• Covid-19
• Chickenpox
• The flu
• Pinkeye
• Strep throat
• A cold

As a general rule, you should not go to class if you have:

• A fever over 100.4°F
• Signs of flu, such as weakness and tiredness
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting more than twice in a 24-hour period
• Coughing that disrupts normal activity
• Wheezing or shortness of breath
• Pain from an earache, headache, sore throat, or recent injury
• Yellow or green drainage from the eye(s)

During orientation, you will receive details on the steps to take if you must call out. You are
expected to follow up with the instructor on missed assignments. Our expectation is that missed
assignments are completed within 48 hours of the student’s return date.

The CNVI equips students with the knowledge and skills to enter the Nuclear Industry as a Valve
Technician Helper (apprentice). Although students do not enter the program with a contract of
commitment to Crane Nuclear, our goal is for graduated students to work for us. However, the
skills acquired during the six-week program equip them for employment in various fields.

The CNVI equips students with the knowledge and skills to enter the Nuclear Industry as a Valve
Technician Helper (apprentice). In order to work as a “Certified” Valve Technician, an individual
must have twelve months of relatable experience. Relatable experience refers to a proven record
of experience working on mechanical or electrical projects. Do not think of this simply in terms
of employment or educational opportunities. This could be working on a personal car, a tractor
on a farm, or helping a parent fix things around the house, for example. However, it is important
to note that the time has to be quantifiable. Our team can help you determine how much relatable
experience you have.

At the end of their 6-week program with CNVI, each student will receive a “Certificate of
Completion.” Graduates will receive work via our Power Plant Outages in the Spring and Fall.
The opportunity to work these Spring and Fall outages will help them accumulate additional
experience and get them closer to meeting the 12-month requirement for certification. We
encourage graduates to use the time in between outages to work in roles that count towards
“relatable experience.”

Working as a Valve Technician can be physically demanding. It often involves standing for long
periods, lifting heavy equipment, and working in confined spaces. Good physical health and
stamina are essential for this role.

The duration of an outage assignment can vary, but most outages last between 4 to 8 weeks.
Some assignments may be shorter or longer depending on the specific needs of the power plant.

This depends on the number of outages during a season. Our goal is to provide 2-3 outages each
season; however, there are seasons where outage timing only allows us to assign one outage.
Note: this is the exception, not the norm.

We do not offer benefits. Due to the seasonal nature of our business, the majority of our workers
are contractors. Note: They do not fill out 1099s, as our payroll company handles tax deductions
for them. As contractors gain experience and move up in classification, they have the opportunity
to be considered for a full-time position with Crane Nuclear. Full-time status is accompanied by
benefits.

Many of the sites are within driving distance of Metro Atlanta. We offer
Mobilization/Demobilization pay (tax-free) that assists with transportation costs. The amounts
are currently $500 in and $500 out. Many of our Valve Technicians drive to our further sites
because they want to visit different parts of the United States. Some even travel with their
campers. In the event that a Power Plant is not within reasonable driving distance, we provide the
flight and rental car; however, this negates the Mobilization/Demobilization money. Employees
are also eligible for per diem for every working day.