The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) group are showcasing their contribution to the UK, including skills, community investment and career opportunities, at the Nuclear Industry Association’s Nuclear Week in Parliament.
The event aims to engage with MPs and parliamentarians about the latest developments, progress and exciting opportunities for young people, in the nuclear sector.
Yesterday Simon Fell MP and the NDA hosted a reception for MPs, policy makers and industry representatives to discuss the role of decommissioning in delivering a brighter future for the UK.
NDA CEO David Peattie shared how the NDA is delivering on its mission to clean-up the UK’s earliest nuclear sites safely, securely and cost effectively. The group seeks to maximise its economic, social and environmental impact at national, regional and local level, directly employing 17,000 people and supporting many more jobs through investment in over 5,000 companies in the supply chain.
Additionally, he pointed to the group’s annual funding of £15million in socio-economic activities which leverages millions of pounds of further investment in local communities, enabling permanent and sustainable change and a positive legacy once the decommissioning mission has ended.
Today, 14 graduates and apprentices are attending the Nuclear Skills & Apprenticeships Fair in the House of Commons to showcase the wide range of talent and opportunities on offer.
The NDA group has over 1,000 apprentices and 360 graduates going through a variety of training programmes, with many of the operating companies also having their own schemes to complement this.
Just last month applications opened for a new NDA group graduate programme, calling on graduates to help the NDA deliver its mission and take part in the one of the most important environmental programmes in the world.
Corhyn Parr, CEO of Nuclear Waste Services, who entered the nuclear sector as a graduate, said:
“This event gives us a platform to demonstrate to parliamentarians and the rest of the industry that nuclear decommissioning has never been a more exciting place to work, offering a wide range of opportunities across the UK that require many different skills and disciplines.
“Meeting our young graduates and apprentices is a real pleasure. From a welding inspector to project manager, they showcase the diversity of opportunities we have to offer in the NDA group and are all enthusiastic about their work and future careers. They are the best ambassadors to inspire future recruits to join the decommissioning sector.”
The NDA is tasked with safely and securely decommissioning the nation’s oldest nuclear sites, removing the burden for future generations.
It’s a programme of work that will last for well over a hundred years so attracting the next generation of the nuclear workforce is an essential part of delivering this nationally important mission long into the future.
Warrington North MP, Charlotte Nichols who hosted the Skills Fair, said:
“I’m a big supporter of the nuclear industry, including the decommissioning sector, which is a big employer in my constituency. It offers a great career including the opportunity to tackle ground-breaking work.
“I’ve met a number of apprentices over the past few years who work in the decommissioning sector, and I’m always struck by their passion for a career in the industry. This event is a real showcase for the future of the nuclear sector.”
Young graduates and apprentices attended from across the NDA group including representatives from Sellafield Ltd, Magnox Ltd, Dounreay Site Restoration Ltd, Nuclear Transport Solutions, Nuclear Waste Services and the NDA.
The NDA group has a proven track record of supporting early career development, investing £30million each year in apprentice and graduate development, offering a wealth of development opportunities and other benefits for those who join.
To find out more about career opportunities at the NDA and across the nuclear industry visit the NDA website (www.gov.uk). For more about the new group graduate programme scheme and the application criteria, visit our graduate website and for apprenticeship opportunities visit the Energus website.
The NDA are also hosting an event on the 7th February at 3pm as part of National Apprenticeship Week where attendees will hear from apprentices across the NDA Group about their experiences, sign up through the National Apprenticeship Week website.
