Fifteen apprentice programmes from Springfields Nuclear Fuels Ltd, Sellafield Sites Ltd and Nuvia Ltd have been approved at the highest nuclear standard, signalling a leap forward in the promotion of nuclear professionalism in the UK.
The programmes have been judged by a panel of nuclear experts as enabling apprentices, on successful completion of their training, to meet the requirements for membership of the Nuclear Institute as defined in the Nuclear Delta, and for professional registration against the UKSPEC (Engineering Council’s UK Standard of Professional Engineering Competence) at EngTech level.
The rigorous assessment of the programmes is via a framework developed by the Nuclear Institute (NI) and National Skills Academy for Nuclear (NSAN) which ensures that technicians entering the sector are trained to, and maintain the skills and behavioural standards expected of a nuclear professional.
Training Manager at Sellafield Ltd, Steve Bewsher, said: “The accreditations from the Nuclear Institute and the National Skills Academy Nuclear confirms that those who come through our apprenticeship programme get all the right training, not just to do their jobs, but also to work safely within a challenging nuclear environment.
"We have 14 Apprenticeship schemes and look forward to working with the Nuclear Institute in the near future to explore the possibility of further accreditation. We invest a lot of time and energy in training and developing our people and the Institute has recognised this. Having recognised accreditation for the nuclear professionalism of our people is high on our agenda, and reaffirms our position as the workforce of choice for the future."
Chief Executive Officer at Nuvia Ltd, Keith Collett, said: "We are delighted to have our apprenticeship scheme accredited by the Nuclear Institute. Our aim is to deliver a high quality training scheme which develops nuclear professionalism alongside the technical and practical skills. It was a pleasure to work with NSAN and the NI to gain recognition of the scheme, and this accreditation gives us confidence that we are preparing young people with the skills, knowledge and behaviors expected of a nuclear professional."
NI President Tim Chittenden (right) presents the apprenticeship schemes certificate to Steve Brewsher, Training Manager at Sellafield Limited.
Certificates were awarded to representatives from Sellafield Ltd, Springfields Ltd and Nuvia Ltd by NI President Tim Chittenden at an event in Birchwood in September. He said: “These apprentice schemes are producing employees who can work in a nuclear environment with skills that meet the exacting standards demonstrated by nuclear sector employers.”
The technician workforce is a vital component of the planned UK nuclear programme and it is critical for future development that the industry recognises and supports their professional development.
Organisations committing to professional development attract and retain talent and increase in-house skills to compete for new business opportunities in the nuclear sector.
Collaboration Manager at NSAN Andy McIvor, who has supported the employers through the joint approval process, said: "This approval recognises that these carefully planned programmes develop the apprentice’s technical skills alongside their nuclear professional practice. Apprentices successfully completing these approved programmes can demonstrate they meet the independent standard of nuclear professionalism; the Nuclear Delta."
This initiative has been completed through the collaboration between NSAN and the NI through the National Nuclear Gateway programme which has been funded by employers and UKCES.
The apprenticeship programme approval process is currently open to all member organisations of NSAN.
For more information about the scheme for your company, please contact Andy McIvor at NSAN.