Oxfordshire Advanced Skills (OAS) has opened a new £13m
state-of-the-art extension at the UK Atomic Energy Authority’s
(UKAEA) Culham Campus, to provide high-quality training for
apprentices in a range of industry sectors.
The opening of the new facility completes the third phase of OAS
development. The investment in the centre totals over £30
million, funded by the Fusion Foundations Programme, a government
initiative to enable the delivery of fusion energy, which can
provide sustainable energy for future generations, by developing
infrastructure, facilities, and skills in the UK.
The new building was officially opened by UK space industry
expert, Stuart Martin from Satellite Applications Catapult, at an
event featuring apprentices and staff from OAS and UKAEA.
Speaking about the expansion, UKAEA CEO, Prof Sir Ian Chapman,
said: “To deliver fusion energy for future generations, it is
vital to equip these generations with the necessary skills needed
to lead the way in fusion and in adjacent sectors such as space,
robotics and engineering.”
David Grailey, Managing Director of MTC Training, also attended
the extension opening. MTC works in partnership with UKAEA to
deliver all of the training programmes at OAS. Mr Grailey said:
“The extension of OAS is a huge opportunity to seed critically
important industries of the future with the talent they need to
succeed and contribute positively to the UK economy. With strong
support from government, our new programmes will enable us to
provide more people with the skills they need to make real
business impact and have a fulfilling career in engineering,
across Oxfordshire and beyond.”
In attendance at the event were several apprentices who
collectively represented more than 300 current learners working
for manufacturing companies in various industries such as
motorsport, pharmaceuticals, maritime, space and fusion.
Paige Rivers, Space Tech Apprentice, Enersys ABSL, said: “I was
drawn to OAS by its impressive facilities and the range of
equipment, but the extension takes my excitement to the next
level! I’m really looking forward to being hands on and learning
the fundamentals of engineering. I know that this will provide a
great opportunity to jumpstart an exciting career in the space
sector and I’ll be able to bring all my learning from OAS into my
new workplace.”
The third and final phase of OAS training centre development has
created an additional 2,355 sqm of space for the facility, which
will support the training of 90 extra apprentices. The expansion
will provide the high-tech equipment needed for the next
generation of engineers to develop advanced manufacturing skills.
This has enabled OAS to facilitate new apprenticeships in
automation and space, as well as further upskilling and CPD
courses.
The extension incorporated designs to accommodate learners with
diverse mental and physical needs. This included physical aids
around the building as well as staff training, to create a more
accessible environment for those studying science, engineering,
and technology.
OAS is a partnership between UKAEA and the Science &
Technology Facilities Council (STFC). Both organisations have
trained apprentices across science and engineering for over seven
decades.
To find out more about OAS and apprenticeships, visit: oas.ukaea.uk or for the
latest fusion energy news and opportunities, visit: ccfe.ukaea.uk.
