When I was at Fermi we hired something like 7 guys who were deconners at our plant. None had any experience outside being deconners and no education background outside of High school. They were some of the best and hardest working operators that ever worked for us. When I left that plant my NLOs consisted of 3 Ex Deconners, 2 Ex RP Techs and 3 ex Navy . Best darn Shift of NLOs I ever had.
Provided they pass whatever entrance requirements the utility has I'd hire deconners in a heart beat.
Mike