27 Sep 2022
The Nuclear Skills Strategy Group (NSSG) has announced a new leadership structure to ensure the sector can access the skills needed for future growth.
The Nuclear Skills Strategy Board (NSSB) is a strategic collaboration between key nuclear stakeholders and is the leading voice on skills for the sector. Members include Ministry Of Defence, Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, EDF Energy, Rolls-Royce SMR, National Nuclear Laboratory and Government. The group have already fed into two major reviews on skills led by the Cabinet Office and new Government body Great British Nuclear (GBN).
Under its agreed remit the NSSB will set the strategic direction and skills priorities for the sector, and will be supported by a further forum representing the wider nuclear supply chain, skills providers and Trade Unions (the Nuclear Skills Enabling Forum). Both groups working together make up the wider NSSG as they look to resolve some of the most significant skills challenges facing an industry primed for growth.
Corhyn Parr, CEO of Nuclear Waste Services, and outgoing Chair said:
“The commitment and collaboration over the last eighteen months, from across the sector, to refocus the operating landscape for long term good has been fantastic to see. As well as providing a strong and coherent voice on skills, the group will take the lead in identifying and prioritising the most significant skills risks, taking steps to mitigate these risks through targeted task and finish groups to bring about positive skills outcomes.”
The group confirmed Jennie Chapman (Head of Nuclear Skills at EDF) and Julie Morris (Senior Responsible Owner for the Defence Nuclear Enterprise Skills Transformation Programme in Defence) as joint Co-Chairs responsible for taking the NSSB forward.
Jennie Chapman, an active member of the NSSG since 2017 said:
“Our sector is in a different place to where it was five years ago. The role of nuclear in securing net zero and our energy security is no longer in question. At the NSSG we have an important job in ensuring we work collaboratively across the sector, to support the capability requirements in a coordinated way and help deliver the growth in capacity that is necessary for new nuclear projects.”
On her appointment as Co-Chair, Julie Morris OBE commented:
“The nuclear sector is accountable for the delivery of many critical programmes for our nation and we need to ensure that we have the skills required, today and in the future. This challenge is significant, and the NSSG is fundamental to ensuring success across all organisations within the sector. It is for this reason that I am delighted to be engaged as Co-Chair of the Nuclear Skills Steering Board (NSSB). The Defence sector has commenced an ambitious programme, strong engagement and a close working relationship between civil and Defence is essential for the future of skills in our industry.”,
The group also approved the first two pilot skills risk mitigation task and finish groups, (Radiological Protection and Project Control & Planning) headed by EDF and NDA respectively. It will utilise the interventions proposed under the recent reviews to address these risks, and will be implementing the outcomes of the two reviews over the coming weeks.
The Great British Nuclear organisation was identified in the Government’s Energy Security Strategy (April 2022) as a new body to bring forward new nuclear projects in the UK.
To find out more or to get involved view our NSSG ‘vision’ here
or watch our new video here
Notes to editor
The Nuclear Skills Strategy Group (NSSG) is the lead strategic skills forum for the nuclear sector, and the collective name for Nuclear Skills Strategy Board (NSSB) and the Nuclear Skills Enabling Forum (NSEF). The NSSG is committed to supporting the industry in the creation of a skills base capable of meeting the demands of the sector.
Media contact
Roger.thomas@cogentskills.com
07714 765961
