Millstone Power Station Gets Connecticut Certification For Two Apprenticeship Programs

- Certification allows participating veterans to apply for GI Bill benefits

- Dominion sees military veterans as experienced pool of potential employees

- Program brings 'earn while you learn' to Connecticut's only nuclear power station

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Nov 28, 2012, 10:00 ET

WATERFORD, Conn., Nov. 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Dominion signed an agreement today with the Connecticut Department of Labor certifying two apprenticeship programs at Millstone Power Station, opening the door for veterans participating in the training to apply for federal GI Bill benefits.

"Dominion recognizes, honors and recruits military veterans who have served our country," said Millstone Site Vice President Steve Scace. "We need experienced team players to keep our company moving forward. These certifications – the first such at Millstone – will help us recruit new employees from the ranks of veterans to operate our nuclear power station."

The two apprenticeship programs approved for GI Bill benefits are Control Room Operator and Plant Equipment Operator. Control room operators go through training to learn how to operate a power station's nuclear reactors and obtain a license from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to operate them. Plant equipment operators receive training on plant controls and systems to maintain safe operating conditions in compliance with federal regulations.

"Our veterans have acquired tremendous skills and unparalleled training in the armed services, and as they transition back into civilian life, they can use those skills to power our economic recovery," said U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney. "I applaud Dominion for taking the initiative to train and hire veterans through their new apprenticeship program. As the Congressman representing Connecticut's most veteran-heavy district, I am confident that efforts like this coupled with new veterans hiring tax credits, are moving us forward."

"We look forward to working in partnership with Dominion and creating new career opportunities through this newly established apprenticeship program," said Vinnie Valente, program manager in the Connecticut Department of Labor's Office of Apprenticeship Training. "These new apprentices, many of them military veterans, will train for well-paying jobs at Millstone. This is an exciting opportunity to bring the 'earn while you learn' concept to Millstone, and provides these newly registered apprentices with the high standard of training required of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission."

Dominion (NYSE: D) is one of the nation's largest producers and transporters of energy, with a portfolio of approximately 27,400 megawatts of generation. Dominion operates one of the nation's largest natural gas storage system and serves retail energy customers in 15 states. For more information about Dominion, visit the company's website at www.dom.com.

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SOURCE Dominion