A key pre-requisite for any successful nuclear programme is first class education and training. All those involved in the industry, in whatever capacity, must have the relevant high quality skills. Specific requirements will differ significantly between activities, not least between different sectors and the nuclear and non-nuclear aspects of a project. However in all cases any company bidding for contracts in the UK nuclear programme, to be successful, will need to demonstrate that its workforce has the appropriate skills, training and education to carry out the work safely and effectively. The focus on safety is of paramount importance across the breadth of the nuclear industry.
What skills are needed?
This will depend on the nature of the particular work you wish to become involved in. You will need to demonstrate that your business has the training and skills to meet the relevant standards laid down by the procuring party (utility, reactor vendor or main contractor). The Nuclear Skills Passport (www.nuclearskillspassport.co.uk) identifies the nationally agreed skills and training standards required across the breadth of the industry.
How can I identify the skills required for my project?
To find out what skills/training is available to meet your specific requirement you should as a first step contact the National Skills Academy for Nuclear (www.nuclear.nsacademy.co.uk ).
The Skills Academy will be able to assess your needs and advise on how your organisation’s skills can be developed and improved to meet the national employer agreed skills and training standards required by the nuclear industry, or how individual skills can be strengthened. The Skills Academy can advise on what support is available, either directing you to one of its own programmes or, if appropriate, to one of the many skills bodies offering support in specific areas of activity.
What is the National Skills Academy for Nuclear?
The National Skills Academy for Nuclear was established in January 2008 by nuclear employers, and covers the whole nuclear industry from new build through to operational plant and decommissioning. It aims to ensure excellence in skills for the nuclear industry and the maintenance and development of a skilled, safe and competent workforce. The Skills Academy working in partnership with Cogent SSC has already made a major contribution to delivering the UK’s current and future nuclear programmes.
What Programmes does the National Skills Academy for Nuclear offer?
The Skills Academy offers a range of programmes to support the nuclear industry covering skills from apprentice to postgraduate level, full details are on www.nuclear.nsacademy.co.uk key programmes include the following:
The Triple Entry Bar Standard
Nuclear Industry leaders have requested the introduction of an ‘entry bar’ for individuals working in and with the Nuclear Industry. The aim of this standard is to have, maintain and grow ‘UK nuclear industry culture’ for safe and continued operations. The three training standards are:
- Basic Common Induction Standard: Provides individuals with what is required for compliance for entry to a nuclear site.
- Basic Nuclear Industry Context: Provides individuals with an awareness of the nuclear industry and why they need to comply.
- Basic Nuclear Industry Behaviours: Provides individuals with an awareness of how they need to behave to promote and encourage a ‘nuclear safety culture’.
Community Apprenticeships
The NDA funded Community Apprenticeship Scheme enables supply chain companies working in the nuclear industry to access additional funding to enable them to recruit Apprenticeships for the first time or to increase the number of Apprentices in their business. It provides funding direct to employers to assist with wage costs over the period of the Apprenticeship and can be used for any apprenticeship frameworks that deliver the skills required for working in the nuclear sector.
Award for Nuclear Industry Awareness
This award enables entrants to the nuclear sector to develop their knowledge and understanding of working in a nuclear environment. It is designed to provide apprentices, graduates and all other non-nuclear personnel with a foundation level of understanding of the nuclear industry and its specific requirements, enabling them to acclimatise and to understand the new environment in which they are/will be working.
Certificate of Nuclear Professionalism
The Certificate of Nuclear Professionalism is being developed in partnership with employers and the Open University and will be available in 2011. This post graduate qualification will focus on nuclear principles, safety, behavioural, commercial and project management skills delivered through employer accredited training/learning, distance learning and traditional taught lessons. Tailored to meet the needs of the employer or individual it will support the continuing professional development of the existing workforce and of new entrants to the industry, helping to ensure individuals remain competitive in a changing labour market.
Nuclear Skills Passport
The Nuclear Skills Passport is a system which offers all nuclear organisations instant secure web access to information on the nuclear skills base, offering a detailed overview of the training completed by their workforce as well as contracting organisations, providing a simple, highly secure method of aiding in the demonstration of SQEP.
The Nuclear Skills Passport enables organisations to effectively assess and plan their training, skills and people requirements. The Nuclear Skills Passport is different to other industry Passport schemes, as it has been designed by nuclear employers, specifically for the requirements of the nuclear sector. There is strong industry support for the Nuclear Skills Passport, which has led to member organisations of the Skills Academy committing to including the Nuclear Skills Passport as ‘highly desirable’ in tenders.
High Quality Provider network
The Skills Academy assures the quality of training delivered by the development of a High Quality Provider Network, details of this network can be found via the following link: www.nuclear.nsacademy.co.uk/providers/high-quality-provider-network-brochure
Further information on University provision and courses can be found via: www.nuclearliaison.com
What are the other key Skills Organisations?
There are a wide range of bodies providing skills and training relevant to work in specific elements of the nuclear industry. Below are web links to some of the key organisations:
Cogent SSC: www.cogent-ssc.com
Manufacturing
NAMRC - The Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre www.namrc.co.uk
SEMTA - The Sector Skills Council for Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies www.semta.org.uk
Construction
Construction Skills - The Construction Industry Training Board (including the Construction Sector Skills Council) www.cskills.org
National Skills Academy for Construction www.construction.nsacademy.co.uk
JIB - Joint Industry Board for Electrical Contractors Industry www.jib.org.uk
Nuclear Decommissioning
ECITB - The Engineering Construction Industry Training Board www.ecitb.org.uk
Cogent is the sector skills council for the nuclear industry. It is the voice of employers and is working with industry to help create an effective skills-development environment.
Cogent Careers
Developed with industry this tool helps to identify the right path to the careers whether you are an employer, employee, student, teacher or parent. Visit the nuclear career pathway www.cogent-careers.com/careerpathways/flash?industry=nuclear
To view role profiles, case studies or choose an industry pathway, visit www.cogent-careers.com/
The National Skills Academy for Nuclear has been formed to create, develop and promote world class skills and career pathways to support a sustainable future for the UK Nuclear industry.
Click here to view the NSAN newsletter, including the latest developments and news on the Nuclear Skills Passport.The Nuclear Skills Academy produce a number of quarterly newletters, if you wish to subscribe, please click on the link below and sign up.
http://www.nuclear.nsacademy.co.uk/
