WIREDGOV

Deputy Prime Minister The Rt Hon Nick Clegg MP officially launched the National Skills Academy for Nuclear Manufacturing to an audience of over 200 key stakeholders, industry representatives, employers and Government officials.  

The National Skills Academy Nuclear Manufacturing (NSA Nuclear Manufacturing) brings together the individual strengths of the Sector Skills Council Semta and the Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre into a strong and innovative collaboration under the leadership of the highly successful National Skills Academy for Nuclear. 

Bringing these three bodies together in this way maximises impact and value through a joint offer that builds on the manufacturing and skills excellence developed to meet the specific needs of the nuclear industry with a focus on quality and safety culture. 
The Skills Funding Agency has contributed £922,772.00 to the National Skills Academy Nuclear Manufacturing initiative over three years, starting this year.

Kim Thorneywork, Chief Executive of the Skills Funding Agency, said:

“It is vital that employers are supported in finding real solutions to tackle skills gaps in their sectors and the National Skills Academy for Nuclear Manufacturing will help achieve this.

Skills are the essential key to unlock economic growth.  The Agency and the further education sector as a whole are committed to supporting the manufacturing sector in its drive to raise skills levels. This initiative not only advances this ambition but provides an opportunity for real collaboration across the Nuclear and Manufacturing sectors. We are pleased to support it.”

NSA Nuclear Manufacturing operates via a membership model where members will benefit from a dedicated team of people focusing on manufacturing skills for nuclear, based in the Nuclear AMRC in Rotherham providing:

• A single point of contact for employers about skills for nuclear manufacturing.
• The development of high priority training and skills products that are closely matched to the immediate and future needs of manufacturing companies who wish to move into or increase their market share of the nuclear opportunity.
• A successful & mature High Quality Provider Network– expanded into the nuclear manufacturing sector to ensure quality delivery of sector specific training.
• Access to a range of innovative support tools, developed by each of the key partners including the Nuclear Skills Passport (NSP) led by A successful & mature High Quality Provider Network– expanded into the nuclear manufacturing sector to ensure quality delivery of sector specific training.
• Access to a range of innovative support tools, developed by each of the key partners including the Nuclear Skills Passport (NSP) led by NSA Nuclear, Fit for Nuclear Programme & Nuclear Connections by Nuclear AMRC and the Semta Business to Skills Planning Tool.
• Further development of key training courses and qualifications to support the up-skilling of manufacturers.

Co-inciding with the launch, the National Skills Academy Nuclear Manufacturing is also celebrating gaining their first employer member. Nuclear Engineering Services (NES).   NES specialise in the integrated design, manufacture, assembly, test and commissioning of bespoke solutions for the nuclear decommissioning, new build and defence markets.

 NES Finance Director, Chris Bill commented;

“NES are delighted to be involved with the National Skills Academy for Nuclear Manufacturing.   Creating a workforce to meet the demands of the current and future UK nuclear programme is something NES are extremely keen to support.  Becoming a member of the National Skills Academy will expand on the in-house work carried out by NES in developing a manufacturing apprentice scheme and IMechE accredited graduate engineering scheme.”

Jean Llewellyn OBE, Chief Executive of the NSA Nuclear and NSA Nuclear Manufacturing

“Currently, from large multi-nationals to SMEs, manufacturers have identified a shortage of skilled labour with the competencies required to support the nuclear programme.  This is a significant hindrance to them being able to grow their existing operations in the nuclear market, and a real barrier to new supply chain companies wishing to work in the sector.

The National Skills Academy Nuclear Manufacturing will support the maximisation of nuclear opportunities for the UK manufacturing industry in both the UK and globally, delivering the skills requirements companies need to grow their current market share. Complementing this will be the delivery of manufacturing/engineering training to provide high quality long-term careers for people in this market.”

Semta’s UK operations director Lynn Tomkins said

"This expansion is aimed squarely at UK manufacturers seeking to enter the nuclear supply chain. There are many potential 'new to nuclear' businesses within Semta's advanced manufacturing footprint with ambitions to win tenders; the challenge for them is to adequately demonstrate that their workforce has suitable skills and experience to meet the exacting standards of the nuclear programme.

The National Skills Academy for Nuclear Manufacturing is an excellent example of how companies and organisations from the wider advanced manufacturing sector can come together to deliver a high quality programme of training and support.”

Steve Court, Operations Director at the Nuclear AMRC:

“This collaboration with the National Skills Academy for Nuclear and Semta is a unique opportunity to really make a tangible difference for employers. By applying our knowledge and understanding of nuclear manufacturing, we will develop products and solutions which will build workforce skills and knowledge and help companies demonstrate their capability to customers when they bid for work”