National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) has joined key employers from the nuclear and engineering industries in signing up to a new charter pledging more collaboration, job opportunities and investment.
NNL has a facility for non-radioactive test rig activities in Workington, as well as a £250 million state-of-the-art nuclear research site at Sellafield Ltd, the Central Laboratory.
The Central Laboratory is the most advanced nuclear facility in the world. Designed around flexibility and collaboration, it supports new reactor build and reactor operations as well as decommissioning, clean-up and fuel processing plants.
Gareth Headdock, chief science and technology officer signed on behalf of NNL at the Nuclear Skills Charter ceremony, hosted by Minister for Affordability and Skills Amanda Solloway MP and Sir Simon Bollom, chair of the nuclear skills taskforce.
NNL and other signatories of the charter will work together through the Nuclear Skills Delivery Group (NSDG) to provide visible and active leadership and collaborate to attract workers into the nuclear sector, including in Cumbria.
Industry leaders will also seek to deepen the workforce pool by increasing employment opportunities locally and nationally and boost investment to retain skilled workers.
With a focus on promoting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) in schools and maximising opportunities for retention and lateral career moves, there is a shared aim to make it ‘Destination Nuclear’ for people at all stages of their career and from all walks of life.
Initiatives will be delivered at a local, regional and national level to promote nuclear as a great place to be, with the goal of doubling the number of new apprenticeships by 2026 and bringing 40,000 more people into the workforce by 2030.
Gareth Headdock said: “We are extremely pleased to sign this Charter, having been involved in this initiative from the beginning.
“The Government has set out a very supportive policy environment to enable the industry to develop advanced nuclear technology to deliver our civil and defence programmes. To achieve this goal, we need the right people, in the right place, at the right time – with the right skills.
“We need to build a talent pipeline across the entire nuclear cycle – recruiting talented people to become the next generation of experts across the breadth of skills required.”
