EDF Energy and Stellfield Ltd, alongside the British government, will establish The National College for Nuclear (NCfN), a partnership that will train workers and develop world-class skills in the United Kingdom’s thriving nuclear industry.
The college, to be based at two hubs in Somerset and West Cumbria, will house a reactor simulator and virtual reality engineering learning provisions. It will work with local schools, colleges and universities, such as University of Bristol and University of Cumbria.
“EDF Energy is proud to be at the heart of the UK’s new National College for Nuclear,” Chief Executive of EDF Energy Vincent de Rivaz said. “The National College will play a vital role in developing skills across the industry, underpinning the UK’s nuclear renaissance. The industry needs high quality vocational skills so that we can continue to operate the existing nuclear fleet safely for longer, as well as for taking forward plans for the UK’s first new nuclear power station in a generation. The National College for Nuclear will help ensure the UK has the right skills to participate fully in the global nuclear market.”
The NCfN is part of the new Nuclear Skills Strategy from the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills, Department for Energy & Climate Change and Ministry of Defence that has set out to meet 90 percent of the sector’s skills needs from a UK workforce. The sector forecasts that its demand for skilled staff at all levels will increase by 40 percent from 70,000 to 98,000 workers.
“It’s expected the nuclear industry will need 30,000 new employees over the next decade – and the Nuclear College will equip young people with the skills they need,” Business Minister Matthew Hancock said. “Creating jobs and opportunities for local people is front and centre of our long term economic plan to secure a brighter future for Britain.”
