Research & Development

Human Resources ‘Remains A Challenge’ For UK’s Nuclear Industry And Regulator

By David Dalton
28 February 2017

28 Feb (NucNet): Human resources in the UK’s nuclear sector is a challenge for both the regulator and the industry, but there has been “real movement and innovative approaches” to improving skills as the country prepares for a potentially significant expansion of nuclear energy, a House of Lords committee was told today. Dr Richard Savage, chief nuclear inspector at the Office for Nuclear Regulation, told the Lords’ science and technology committee that collaborations such as the National Skills Academy for Nuclear and the Nuclear Innovation and Research Advisory Board are “bearing fruit”. He said the regulator now accepts graduate trainees and apprentices. “This has not been our traditional way, but has proved very effective,” he said. Dr Savage warned, however, that there is still a question mark over whether enough is being done and called for efforts to be redoubled. Dr Adrian Simper, technology and strategy director at the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, told the committee: “We cannot rely on the market and interventions are required. We need to have continual intervention on this matter.” Dr Simper also said the number of people working on advanced reactor systems in the UK remains very low.

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