A training programme to support project professionals in the nuclear industry will be rolled out across the UK.
The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority’s One NDA Project Academy is an expansion of a programme launched at Sellafield in 2016 and will support workers at the authority’s 17 sites in England, Scotland and Wales.
The University of Cumbria has been confirmed as the academy’s operator, continuing a relationship that began when the initiative started 10 years ago.
Previously known as the Project Academy for Sellafield, it has helped more than 7,000 people advance their careers through the academy’s programmes.
Primarily for Sellafield Ltd staff, the academy also took leaners from large and small businesses in Cumbria.
It offers more than 60 courses across a range of disciples, including project management, quality, health and safety, risk, stakeholder management, and project controls.
From short courses to degree programmes, all are designed to meet the evolving demands of infrastructure delivery.
Jacq Longrigg, NDA Group people development director, said: “The project academy has pioneered a fresh approach to professional development in programme and project delivery, setting new standards for the UK skills agenda.
“Now, the academy will move onto the next phase and provide development opportunities for all our project and programme community across the NDA group.
“We are proud to invest in our people, our communities, and in the successful delivery of our mission.”
Under its new contract the University of Cumbria will lead the academy for six years, with the option to extend for a further three.
Sam Moore, 28 from West Cumbria, began his career as a project management apprentice and has used the academy to progress into his current role as senior capability manager, helping to deliver major projects.
He said: “I used the academy to obtain a university certificate in project scope baseline management, which has me to understand the requirements of programmes and projects in more depth, as well as how to manage and control it.
“Using professional standards such as the Association for Project Management, it also allows me to exchange learning with other companies.”
Kate Dixon, director of the Institute of Engineering at the University of Cumbria, said: “We are delighted to continue our collaboration with Sellafield Ltd and the NDA Group.
“The academy has become an important part of our identity, benefiting thousands of people and many businesses across the region.
“Its success has inspired similar programmes with BAE Systems, the BBC, and the NHS — and it all began at Sellafield.”
Andy Sharples, project director for Sellafield Ltd, said: “I’ve seen first-hand the impact of the Project Academy has had on people, who are now helping us to deliver infrastructure projects at one of the UK’s most complex sites.
“We’re excited to help create a sustainable pipeline of talent to support not only Sellafield, but any infrastructure programme in the UK.”
Delivery partners for the new contract include nationally recognised training providers Provek, 20/20 Project Management, RPC UK and the CITB National Construction College, small and family businesses in Cumbria including C-OMS, Clint Stamper Training and Woodward SHE, and specialist providers Prendo and People Deliver Projects. Neither Lakes College nor Furness College are included.
The academy is available to members of the public and details of the courses available and how to apply can be accessed here A Project Academy for Sellafield | University of Cumbria.
