Skills minister John Hayes announced that the Government is pumping £920,000 into the National Skills Academy for the nuclear sector today.
The National Skills Academy for nuclear will expand its activities into nuclear manufacturing to deliver a more skilled workforce, with an increase of 3,500 learners taking NSA recognised programmes, including more than 500 apprenticeships.
The NSA will collaborate with the sector skills council for science, engineering and manufacturing technologies Semta and the Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, based in Sheffield, to support companies that attempt to develop additional capability and develop skills.
The announcement comes as UK manufacturers prepare to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the new nuclear build programme.
There is currently a severe lack of skills in the sector so the investment, which is coming from the Growth Innovation Fund, will help employers overcome this barrier to growth within nuclear.
The NSA for creative and culture is set to receive £1.5m and plans to extend its operations and reach 1.2 million young people through careers information and advice over the next five years.
Mr Hayes commented that the investment will help firms to beat “the skills gaps that stand in the way of them meeting their full potential.”
He added: “The new centre for excellence for nuclear manufacturing will increase the number of opportunities for technicians and skilled workers and ensure that UK firms can source the skills they need to grow their market share in an expanding market.”
The Government has provided a total of over £15m to boost innovation and productivity, enable industries to set new professional standards and support new or extended national skills academies.
Jean Llewellyn OBE, chief executive of the NSA for Nuclear, said: “The nuclear manufacturing expansion of the NSA for Nuclear will support the UK supply chain to ensure it is well placed and has the skilled workforce required to gain maximum value from this global renaissance.”
