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New AREVA Technology Center dedicated at Central Virginia Community College - October 12, 2004


Central Virginia Community College (CVCC) today dedicated the new AREVA Technology Center on its campus in Lynchburg, Va. The 35,000-square-foot facility will contain state-of-the-art technical laboratories designed to provide students with a learning experience that employs the latest technology in electronics, HVAC and machine tooling.

The dedication ceremony and tour of the facility was attended by state legislators representing Central Virginia, state community college leaders, local government officials, business and community leaders, and U.S. Rep. Virgil Goode of Virginia's 5th District, who was the keynote speaker.

Funding for the $10.5 million AREVA Technology Center came from both public and private sources, and the facility is an integral part of Central Virginia's Region 2000 workforce development program. CVCC decided to associate AREVA's name with the technology center in recognition of the company's $1 million pledge, which was the largest single corporate contribution to the college's major gifts campaign.

“We are proud to have the AREVA name associated with this impressive facility”, said AREVA Inc. CEO Tom Christopher. "In addition to being a great education and economic development resource for the region, it demonstrates what can be accomplished when the public and private sectors work together to achieve a common goal".

“Orchestration of public and private support of this magnitude is unprecedented in Virginia's Region 2000" said CVCC President Darrel Staat. “The AREVA Technology Center is a testament to the shared vision of this region of Virginia to attain world-class status in workforce development”.

The partnership between AREVA and CVCC goes beyond the technical center. The company developed a training program with the college where individuals can apply for a work-study program leading to an Associate in Applied Science and Technology degree with an emphasis in Nuclear Support Technologies.

Once selected into the program, students become employees of the AREVA Group, receive a salary, benefits and paid tuition. Program participants attend classes part of the year and gain work experience at nuclear power plants where the company is involved in major plant upgrade, engineering and maintenance projects. About 60 students are currently enrolled in the program.


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