40,000 new nuclear jobs ambition set out in government-backed plan | New Civil Engineer

The skills plan was devised by the Nuclear Skills Taskforce and will be delivered by the Nuclear Skills Delivery Group (NSDG).

The NSDG – formerly the Nuclear Skills Strategy Group (NSSG) – is the body leading nuclear industry skills for the civil and defence sectors. It is responsible for day-to-day delivery of the National Nuclear Strategic Plan for Skills led by the Nuclear Skills Delivery Board (NSDB).

The charter was signed by a wide range of government, industry and third sector representatives and commits signatories to “build the nation’s capability for the nuclear sector by growing a diverse and inclusive workforce that is motivated, recognised and inspired”.

The country’s civil nuclear industry is set to expand under the government’s ambitions set out in the Civil nuclear: roadmap to 2050, where it said it wants to see 24GW of new nuclear delivered, including by large nuclear plants such as Sizewell C, as well as small modular reactors (SMRs) and advanced modular reactors (AMRs).

A significant uplift in workforce capacity will need to take place to deliver that ambition and the government said 50% more highly skilled workers will be needed in the next 10 years for both the nuclear weapons and civil nuclear power industries. The government said that by 2030, 123,000 people will be needed for the nuclear power targets alone.

The National Nuclear Strategic Plan for Skills sets the ambition to fill “40,000 new jobs by 2030, doubling the current rate of recruitment, in order to deliver the UK’s priorities for national security and energy resilience”.

The skills plan says the NSDG hopes to double the number of apprentices in the nuclear sector including in welding, electrical and engineering roles by 2025-2026, and double the number of graduates entering the workforce by the same deadline.

NSDG committed in the plan to forming a future leaders scheme to develop tomorrow’s senior personnel and to upskilling initiatives for people joining the industry sector mid-career.

Additionally, the plan announced the creation of a new national communications campaign called Destination Nuclear which will promote the career opportunities available in the sector.

It also laid out proposals to create regional hubs to increase workforce capacity, to increase training capacity and to widen employee diversity and inclusion.

In his foreword in the skills plan, Nuclear Skills Taskforce chair Sir Simon Bollom said: “What is clear in a growing sector which is as diverse, innovative, and strategically important as nuclear, is that its success is dependent on the availability of a skilled workforce.

“We need a broad range of people to work in a wide variety of roles, with the right skills to keep the UK safe and energy secure, over multiple decades.”

Bollom referred to a March 2024 announcement which said: “Government is partnering with industry, including BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, EDF and Babcock, to invest at least £763M by 2030 in skills, jobs and education.”

NSDG nuclear skills programme director Beccy Pleasant, said: “The skills challenge can be met only if the sector works together to deepen and broaden the skills base. That is why the Skills Plan captures specific themes and projects the industry is now committed to.

“And this includes finding ways to align skills across the civil and nuclear defence sectors.

“From today, boosting recruitment relevant to the sector’s regional needs, broadening the intake across education levels, upskilling existing industry professionals and increasing diversity will build a motivated nuclear workforce – vital to the industry’s long-term capability and the UK’s national and energy security.”

Destination Nuclear project lead Lynne Matthews said: “Destination Nuclear is a real game changer. The programme is the first sector-wide communications campaign for nuclear and has provided a focal point to create a national nuclear brand and shorten the journey from attraction to employment.

“Destination Nuclear showcases the wealth of opportunities the sector has to offer.

“It will help a broader range of people explore and enter a career which is challenging, rewarding and sustainable – and, importantly, help deliver the UKs nuclear ambition.”

Government figures welcome work to build “a resilient and skilled workforce to meet evolving threats”

Department for energy security and net zero minister for affordability and skills Amanda Solloway said: “We are delivering the biggest expansion to nuclear power in 70 years and need a homegrown pool of talent that will fuel our nuclear ambitions.

“The nuclear industry offers highly skilled, well-paid jobs at the cutting-edge of the clean energy transition that can level up rural communities across the country and today’s charter puts us and the industry working together to achieve that.”

Ministry of defence minister for defence procurement James Cartlidge said: ‘’The launch of the National Nuclear Strategic Plan for Skills signifies our commitment to enhancing our nuclear workforce, broadening education opportunities and diversifying recruitment.

“Together, we are building a resilient and skilled workforce to meet evolving threats, and to safeguard our nation’s interests now and for the future.’’

Department for Education minister for skills, apprenticeships and higher education Luke Hall said: “The nuclear sector is a dynamic and fast-growing global industry and presents fantastic opportunities to British workers looking to get in-demand skills and rewarding jobs.

“Whether you are interested in studying for a university degree or getting experience on the job and earning a wage as an apprentice, this skills plan for the nuclear industry shows a clear path forward for boosting our national security, meeting the UK’s energy needs, cutting emissions and spreading prosperity across the country.”

Charter hailed as “a welcome step” by workers union

Prospect describes itself as the “leading” nuclear trade union.

Prospect senior deputy general secretary Sue Ferns said: “The UK Nuclear Skills Charter is a welcome step on the path to developing and safeguarding the skills the nuclear industry needs to thrive in the UK.

“The ambitions set out in the charter must be backed up by concrete action if it is to be more than just warm words.

“This is a real opportunity to secure good quality jobs and the priority must be delivering them in the locations they are most needed.”

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