Source · Select Committees · Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
Recommendation 36
36
Not Addressed
Paragraph: 177
Develop clear protocol for funding employer-specific nuclear curriculum and teaching materials.
Conclusion
We were impressed by the obviously effective working relationship between the National College for Nuclear and the Hinkley Point C Project. In this case, the training provided, and the apprenticeships offered, are clearly tied to a specific employer and site. We were concerned that there was a lack of clarity on who should fund the development of the curriculum and teaching materials for courses mounted exclusively to serve the needs of a particular employer. The Government and the Nuclear Skills Strategic Groups should develop a clear protocol on this. Should further nuclear new build proceed, with multiple organisations in the developer and in the supply chain requiring apprenticeships, there must be no delay in developing courses arising from ambiguity on who pays for that development.
Government Response Summary
The government reiterates its commitment to ensuring the nuclear industry has the required skills and works with the Nuclear Skills Strategy Group and the Nuclear Skills Taskforce to identify skills gaps, but does not address the specific recommendation to develop a clear protocol for funding curriculum development for employer-specific courses.
Paragraph Reference:
177
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
[Response to 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36] • The Government is committed to ensuring the UK nuclear industry has the required skills to deliver on its existing decommissioning requirements together with supporting the proposed programme of new nuclear. • The Nuclear Skills Strategy Group (NSSG) an employer-led Nuclear Industry Skills lead and provides ‘one voice’ to government. The Government works closely with the NSSG on targeted actions that reflect the ambitions for the UK’s civil nuclear programme to help identify skills gaps, required training programs and qualifications. • The Nuclear Skills Taskforce, jointly launched by the Minister for Nuclear and Networks, Andrew Bowie MP, and the Minister for Defence Procurement James Cartlidge, has a remit to turbocharge the work already undertaken with industry and across government, including by the NSSG. The Taskforce will ensure we have the right people, with the right skills to deliver on our nuclear ambitions.