An announcement has been made today which will give a real boost to young people in Somerset, set on a career in the nuclear industry.

Bridgwater College, Somerset and Lakes College, Cumbria, will make up the National College for Nuclear, with access to £15 million in government funding to facilitate the new college, which will have a southern hub in Cannington, near Bridgwater, and a northern hub in Cumbria.

It is expected that the nuclear industry will need 30,000 new employees over the next decade, and the new college aims to create the workforce of tomorrow by delivering high-level technical training to over 7,000 learners by 2020. The National College for Nuclear will open in 2017 and will meet the demand for highly skilled workers in the nuclear sector, with courses designed by employers in a range of specialised careers, ranging from Levels 4 – 6.

The National College for Nuclear is being funded jointly by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership (£3 million) and Bridgwater College (£4.5 million), with industry employers EDF Energy and Sellafield Ltd providing access to training facilities.

Mike Robbins, Bridgwater College Principal said,

“We are delighted that the southern hub of the National College for Nuclear is coming to Cannington, near Bridgwater, and look forward to working with our industry and university partners to deliver this vital training resource. Its reactor simulator and virtual reality training environment will provide tomorrow’s engineers with high-tech, specialist training to support the nuclear industry, and help to ensure that the UK has the right skills to participate fully in the global nuclear market.

“This is excellent news for the local community and further cements Bridgwater College’s position as a leading UK authority on training for the nuclear sector.”

Matt Burley, Chair of the Nuclear South West Industry Network Board said,

“It is great news that the National College for Nuclear will be based in Cannington. The coming skills gap is of great concern to businesses in the industry, and we look forward to working with Bridgwater College to help make the National College for Nuclear a success regionally and nationally, for now and the future.”

Janet Hogben, EDF Energy's chief people officer said,

“We welcome the Government’s approval of the business plan as it means this exciting project can now move to the next stage. The new college will offer a fantastic opportunity to plug the skills gap that exists in the nuclear industry and will further support the UK’s growing nuclear power infrastructure.”

If you would like more information about the National College for Nuclear, please contact our Business Development team on 01278 655111, or email business@bridgwater.ac.uk