Los Alamos National Laboratory was recently made a Department of Defense-approved industry partner, which allows service members and on-base career centers to find the Lab in a specialized database and request to participate in a unique program. The new partnership gives the Lab greater visibility and allows more service members who are seeking employment after active duty to find Lab opportunities more easily while receiving their full salary from the DOD.
How the program works
The DOD program, SkillBridge, allows service members up to a six-month internship, paid for by the Department of Defense. “The program allows us to place skilled, trained and usually cleared personnel — at no cost to us — into critical vacancies and make an immediate impact,” said Brandon Ghiassi, who is the Lab’s SkillBridge program manager and an Army veteran.
“SkillBridge offers the perfect opportunity for the Laboratory to experience the skills, knowledge and leadership of a service member prior to their departure from the military,” said Mark Davis, deputy Laboratory director of Operations and a Navy veteran. “This program is a win for all involved; we get the services of program participants for a defined period free of charge, they get valuable experience to help their transition from the military to civilian life, and both get to see if the Laboratory is a fit for future employment.”
SkillBridge in action at the Lab
To execute its national security mission, the Lab utilizes several highly complex and technologically advanced facilities. One of these is the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center, also known as LANSCE. Operating the LANSCE accelerator 24/7 requires employees with a unique combination of technical skills, experience and dedication. Hiring and retaining such critical personnel can be a challenge.
“The SkillBridge program provided the Lab with an excellent opportunity to attract Forte Elkins, a service member whose skills and experience aligned perfectly with the Lab’s needs,” said Louis Peterson, LANSCE staff operations manager. “Forte immediately filled a key gap in our operator team while gaining valuable civilian work experience. For the Lab, this partnership proved to be an ideal match — one that will culminate in Forte’s acceptance of full-time employment at the Lab upon completion of his military service obligation.”
Elkins, who is a nuclear electrician mate in the Navy, learned electrical theory, power plant operations, how to troubleshoot electrical equipment and how to perform in high-stress situations. He has worked as an accelerator operator at LANSCE for six months.
“With the SkillBridge program, I can take the skills I have acquired over my six years of service and apply them in a civilian field,” Elkins said. “Choosing to stay with the Lab as I leave the Navy comes down to multiple factors — the beautiful location, surrounded by incredibly smart and wonderful people and, most importantly, this is where I can challenge myself and grow intellectually.”
The Lab started participating in the SkillBridge program in 2022, before receiving its approved industry partner status. Since then, the Lab has hosted 11 service members who have filled roles such as accelerator operator, project manager, engineer, training specialist, paralegal, human resources generalist and others.
Those interested in learning more about SkillBridge program opportunities at Los Alamos can contact Brandon Ghiassi at bghiassi@lanl.gov.
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