Case Studies

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

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

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

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…