40% of Last Year’s Workshop Participants Were LLNL Employees

Forty percent of participants in last year’s Laser Optics Workshop were employees of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, revealing a substantial internal effort to bolster expertise at the home of the world’s most energetic laser and largest optical instrument. The National Ignition Facility, which recently achieved fusion ignition, is driving increased demand for skilled laser and electronic optics technicians to build and maintain its complex optical systems. To meet this need, LLNL is again partnering with Las Positas College to offer an eight-week workshop providing hands-on experience with laser technology; the sessions run from June 22 to August 12. LLNL optical engineer Trenton Brendel said the team was thrilled by the response to last summer’s workshop and honored to partner with Las Positas College again this year to help members of the community learn about laser optics and gain hands-on experience.

LLNL and Las Positas College Laser Optics Workshop Details

The National Ignition Facility’s success in achieving fusion ignition has spurred a demand for skilled technicians capable of maintaining the facility’s complex optical systems, prompting a collaborative training initiative between Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) and Las Positas College (LPC). This summer marks the second iteration of the eight-week Laser Optics Workshop, running from June 22 to August 12, designed to equip participants with practical experience in laser and optics technology. Last year’s inaugural workshop revealed a significant internal need for upskilling at LLNL, with approximately 40 percent of the 30 participants being current laboratory employees, suggesting potential gaps in existing staff expertise or a proactive approach to workforce development.

The workshop is not solely focused on LLNL personnel; the cohort from last year included 35 percent Las Positas College students and 25 percent members of the broader local community, broadening access to training for this highly specialized field. Participants will engage in hands-on work covering topics ranging from the fundamental properties of light and laser safety protocols to geometrical and physical optics, with occasional lectures delivered by LLNL staff. Jennifer Siders, an LPC physics professor and instructor for the workshop, brings a high level of expertise to the program, having previously served as a postdoctoral researcher at Los Alamos National Laboratory, demonstrating a pipeline of talent between national laboratories and community colleges.

NIF’s Impact Drives Demand for Optics Technicians

Demand for these specialists is increasing, fueled by NIF’s recent achievement of fusion ignition and the subsequent surge in both public and private investment in fusion energy research. This heightened activity directly translates into a need for personnel capable of constructing and maintaining the complex optical systems at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. The workshop’s curriculum, designed for those with basic algebra and geometry skills, covers topics ranging from the properties of light to laser safety, incorporating lectures, laboratory work, and presentations from LLNL staff. Tuition for the non-credit course is $150. The partnership between LLNL and LPC extends beyond this workshop, encompassing the Engineering Technology Program and a Science and Engineering Seminar Series, demonstrating a sustained commitment to cultivating a local talent pipeline.