Case Studies

How BTC use the National College for Nuclear brand

As one of the National College for Nuclear’s (NCfN) founding partners, Bridgwater & Taunton College (BTC) have been part of our journey from the very beginning. When the NCfN was formed in 2016, the logo and branding guidelines were developed by an agency for use by all partners. A communications plan was also written, with all partners aware that the ‘National College’ concept was a new one and could potentially be confusing for stakeholders, especially in the local market of each provider.

During these early days, many lessons were learnt in understanding how the NCfN was understood and recognised by provider staff, parents, students and other stakeholders. It was recognised that whilst the NCfN brand was gaining recognition nationally, the local market in Somerset knew and trusted Bridgwater & Taunton College. BTC therefore took the decision to promote their NCfN provision as ‘National College for Nuclear at BTC’ within the local environment but to use the ‘NCfN Southern Hub’ branding on a national level.

BTC now treat their NCfN in the same way as their other commercial business – for example, The Hair & Beauty Zone at BTC, The Quantock Restaurant at BTC etc (see below).

This approach supports a consistency of branding and ensures that the known, trusted brand of BTC remains present for parents, young people, schools etc. There is a selection of marketing collateral branded in this way – brochures, signage, workwear for staff etc. However, students studying on NCfN courses are still BTC students, with BTC email addresses.

BTC’s Head of Marketing & Communications says: “It is a finely tuned balance in terms of messaging but in general, we have found that the BTC brand makes most sense to parents, schools and students. BTC is extremely well-known in the area and is a strong and trusted brand. However, the NCfN brand has real strength and traction with employers so in our conversations with them, in business development opportunities and when networking, our team use the National College for Nuclear brand to demonstrate the quality and prominence of our nuclear provision and how it has been developed with the sector. Employers and other stakeholders within the nuclear industry really value the NCfN name now and so it is important we leverage that in our conversations with them”.

The HPC Challenge…

  • UK’s first new nuclear power station in over 20 years
  • Estimated to create 25,000 jobs over ten years
  • Significant skills gaps identified and many unknowns
  • Development Consent Order requirements around benefits for the local community
  • Shifting timescales and the need for rapid responses and flexibility

Developing the workforce pipeline – holistically

Collaboration at the heart of our solution

  • A federated model of Approved Providers
  • Working with Colleges and providers local to the HPC project
  • Bridgwater & Taunton College – NCfN Southern Hub
  • Using local expertise to meet skills and capability challenges
  • A proven track record of meeting CDM regulations
  • Strong relationships and frequent, open dialogue between employers and education providers
  • Government links at the highest levels to ensure currency and relevance

    Collaboration at the heart of our solution: Transferable Curriculum

    Steel fixing Apprenticeship: First of a kind Standard for Steel Fixing, developed specifically for HPC – 100+ Steel Fixing apprentices have now been recruited at HPC.

    Formwork Carpentry Apprenticeship: BYLOR / HPC and Bridgwater & Taunton College developed a transferable Formwork Carpentry apprenticeship and have already recruited 50 Formwork apprentices.

    Lifting Technician Apprenticeship: Covers qualifications in both Slinger / Signaller and Tower Crane Operations, roles which are becoming increasingly difficult to fill within the construction industry.

    Digital Engineering Apprenticeship: 35 apprentices recruited into HPC roles enabling skills such as visualisation and simulation of design, construction and management of assets.

    Geospatial Surveying Apprenticeship: Historically, a ‘hard to recruit’ area, apprentices on this qualification have been recruited throughout 2021 and 2022.

    Civil Engineering Degree Apprenticeship: Delivered through the University of Exeter the South West IoT, apprentices on this programme are able to apply for IEng status as they complete the programme.

    Apprenticeship Standards developed for nuclear new build since 2016:

    • L2 Steel Fixing ST0271
    • L2 Lifting Technician ST0267
    • L3 Digital Engineering ST0266
    • L4 Construction Site Engineering Technician ST0046
    • L6 Civil Engineering Site Management ST0047
    • L4 Construction Site Supervisor ST0048
    • L6 Construction Site Manager ST0047
    • L3 Pipe welder ST0851
    • L3 Plate welder ST0852
    • L3 Team Leader/Supervisor ST0384

    The National College for Nuclear response

    An agile, strategic approach, working collaboratively to:

    • Plan and deliver – working with education partners to deliver skills / capability building well ahead of project need
    • Minimise Workforce Risk – right skills, right places, right time
    • Be a ‘Force for Good’ in the region – a federated model that draws together education and employer partners
    • Create Economic Benefit – addressing key national, regional and local priorities and leaving a sustainable legacy

    Centres of Excellence

    Welding Centre of Excellence:

    • State of the art facilities
    • Broad curriculum offer – generic / upskilling / skills verification
    • Apprenticeship programmes for Cavendish and Doosan
    • Creation of several new Standards for Welding, (Super) Duplex, Orbital, Grinding and 10 new technical Tests, including multi language capability

    Electrical Centre of Excellence:

    • Purpose built facilities
    • Development of ‘Bootcamp’ and Traineeship offer
    • MEH induction programmes
    • CCNSG and ECS tests available

    Mechanical Centre of Excellence:

    • Facilities under development
    • Skills objectives include:
      • Real world environment supporting mechanical / HVAC critical tasks
      • Training for HSO Silver Mechanical operatives
      • Home of the Industrial Coatings Training facility
      • Technical testing of the Mechanical workforce

    The impact of National College for Nuclear…