Duke Energy has reduced Initial License Operator Training (ILT) to a 12-month duration, producing highly trained and competent operators in 25-50% less time, thereby reducing costs and increasing productivity of the Operations and Training departments. Across Duke Energy’s six nuclear stations, ILT programs formerly ranged from a duration of 15 months to 24 months and, at times, struggled to keep up with site staffing needs and operator attrition rates. The goal of this initiative was to redesign and implement a standardized 12-person, 12‑month ILT program for producing highly trained and competent operators with a 100% NRC exam pass rate. The program optimization resulted in reduced costs and improved productivity for the operations and training departments as well as improved talent development across the sites to meet station staffing needs.