Manufacturing Skills hub gains government support

By 21 July 2011 Nuclear AMRC news

Plans to establish a Manufacturing Skills for Nuclear hub at the Nuclear AMRC have received backing from the Business Secretary.

The plans are part of the National Skills Academy’s bid for expansion into nuclear manufacturing, through the Government’s Growth and Innovation Fund. The proposed National Skills Academy for Manufacturing for Nuclear will be a collaboration between the National Skills Academy for Nuclear, Semta/National Skills Academy for Manufacturing, and the Nuclear AMRC.

Business Secretary Vince Cable MP (pictured visiting the AMRC in March) has now announced government backing for the academy’s Expression of Interest to the Growth and Innovation Fund. The National Skills Academy for Nuclear is now leading the completion of a detailed business plan, to be submitted for Government approval in early 2012.

The National Skills Academy for Manufacturing for Nuclear will focus on ensuring that manufacturing companies contracting with the nuclear sector have the skills to meet the standards required.

Based on the successful employer-led National Skills Academy model, the expansion will provide a dedicated Manufacturing Skills for Nuclear hub  at the Nuclear AMRC’s South Yorkshire facility. The hub will provide:

  • A single point of contact for employers about skills for nuclear manufacturing.
  • The development of high priority training and skills products matched to the manufacturing companies.
  • An established High Quality Provider Network expanded into the nuclear manufacturing sector.
  • Access for employers to a range of innovative support tools, developed by each of the key partners.
  • Further development of key training courses and qualifications to support the up-skilling of manufacturers.

Dr Stephen Court, operations director at the Nuclear AMRC, said: “We are delighted to be part of this unique opportunity to focus on the skills challenges facing the nuclear manufacturing supply chain. By combining the knowledge, capabilities and strengths of the three main delivery partners, we can tackle the challenges around workforce skills, experience and behaviours, and help companies respond to the growing nuclear opportunity.”

For more information, see the National Skills Academy for Nuclear announcement.

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