The Government-backed National Nuclear Strategic Plan for Skills – Building Skills for the Nation’s Nuclear Capability was formally launched at a reception in Westminster on Wednesday 15th May.
Devised by the Nuclear Skills Taskforce, and delivered by the NSDG (Nuclear Skills Delivery Group, formerly NSSG), the Plan underpins the goal of filling 40,000 new jobs by the end of the decade, doubling the number of apprentices and doubling the number of graduates entering the nuclear workforce by academic year 2025/26.
Alongside the launch, stakeholders from across the sector also signed a Nuclear Charter which commits industry to a set of behaviours and actions to meet the nuclear skills challenge facing the nation.
As the only professional membership body dedicated to the nuclear sector, the Nuclear Institute welcomes this ambitious plan that aims to help deliver the 40,000 new jobs needed by the sector by 2030.
Dr Fiona Rayment FNucI OBE, President of the Nuclear Institute commented:
"I am delighted to see the launch of this skills plan, bringing together the current and future skills requirements across the entire nuclear enterprise. The UK has a proud nuclear heritage with a breadth and depth of a variety of skills that support the entire industry.
With the increased demand placed on nuclear together with the challenges of the ageing workforce, this plan is being launched just in time. The Nuclear Institute is the only professional institute in the UK for Nuclear professionals and we look forward to playing our role in the implementation of this plan".
Government Energy Minister Amanda Solloway said:
“We are delivering the biggest expansion to nuclear power in 70 years and need a homegrown pool of talent that will fuel our nuclear ambitions.
“The nuclear industry offers highly-skilled, well-paid jobs at the cutting-edge of the clean energy transition that can level up rural communities across the country and today’s charter puts us and the industry working together to achieve that.”