Rolls-Royce and the Nuclear AMRC have celebrated the launch of a first-of-a-kind Nuclear Skills Academy at an event in the House of Lords.
More than 150 representatives from Parliament and industry attended to hear how the British engineering firm is investing in the nuclear experts of the future to sustain nuclear capability within the UK’s submarines programme by creating a dedicated pipeline of talent at the start of their careers.
Based in Derby’s former iHub building, the Nuclear Skills Academy is supported by industry and education experts, including the University of Derby, Nuclear AMRC, National College for Nuclear and Derby City Council. This ensures new apprentices have access to the best courses and mentors throughout their apprenticeship.
The launch was supported by Keith Beckett, technical director and deputy CEO of the Submarine Delivery Agency, and Rolls-Royce apprentices, who shared their initial experiences of the academy, the nuclear industry and the benefits of the apprentice route.
Steve Carlier, President of Rolls-Royce Submarines, said: “We were thrilled by the levels of interest in these apprenticeships and the enthusiasm shown by our first intake of students. It highlights how attractive a career in the nuclear sector really is. With the growing demand for clean, carbon-free energy and with our submarines contracts with the MoD likely to sustain us into the next century, this could be a job for life for our new apprentices.
“Having started with Rolls-Royce as an apprentice myself and being born and bred in Derby, the launch to the Nuclear Skills Academy is especially exciting for me. I’m delighted that we are leading the way in developing nuclear talent for the submarines enterprise and proud that it will all be done in Derby.”
The Nuclear Skills Academy has the funding to provide 200 apprentices each year for a decade, with nuclear education across four different courses. The support of key industry organisations and MPs in driving the project forward has been invaluable for Rolls-Royce.
Andrew Storer from the Nuclear AMRC said: “We need to work together to tackle skills shortages which affect the whole nuclear sector. The organisations backing the Nuclear Skills Academy will ensure that apprentices have the best training and support and develop the skills to deliver the UK’s commitments for low-carbon power and national security. As a former Derby apprentice, I am very proud that we are helping set a new standard for training which could be rolled out across the sector.”
Professor Kathryn Mitchell CBE DL, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University of Derby, said: “Equipping the future workforce with the skills and knowledge required to assure a pipeline of talent into the nuclear industry is crucial; the University is delighted to be playing a key role in this.
“Derby is a city at the cutting edge of engineering and manufacturing, with an internationally renowned reputation as a centre for industrial innovation. The Academy will further strengthen this and is set to be a game-changer in how we respond, at pace, to the evolving skills needs of the country.”
