World-class facilities are rewriting the training manual for graduates and apprentices entering the nuclear industry in the South West of England, as the sector experiences unprecedented growth.

Statistics from the Nuclear Skills Strategy Group say that about 13,000 skilled people are required in the region to meet the sector’s skills needs between 2016 and 2023.

The South West has 29 colleges, seven universities and a significant number of high-quality independent training providers to ‘deliver’ the skilled workforce and capacity that the industry needs, and they are set to train more than 7,000 people by 2020.

They include the flagship Southern hub of the National College for Nuclear in Somerset, which aims to enrol 400 nuclear apprentices by 2023.

The £15 million facility (located at the Cannington Campus of Bridgwater & Taunton College) is a partnership between industry, national regulators, skills bodies and training providers that is set to ‘revolutionise’ the way training for the nuclear sector is delivered.

Matt Burley, the chairman of Nuclear South West (www.nuclearsouthwest.co.uk), said: “The South West’s nuclear sector is experiencing unprecedented growth.

The region has the highest density of nuclear sites in the UK and is at the forefront of research and skill building.

“The nuclear industry is the engine of the South West economy; it provides opportunities for people and business to develop hugely rewarding careers in the region.

“Hinkley Point C nuclear power station is expected to generate 25,000 job opportunities over the next 20 years.”