The UK’s National College for Nuclear (NCfN) – a £7.5m
two-story college at Lakes College, Lillyhall – will bring
a new way of teaching to students while bridging the gap
between further education colleges and university, and the
workplace.
Sellafield Ltd and EDF Energy are leading industry input
into the college which is based at two sites – Lillyhall
and Bridgwater & Taunton College, Somerset - helping to
ensure its curriculum and qualifications are based on
employer need.
The college is one of five government funded national
colleges that will deliver high-tech technical training to
thousands of learners across England.
Dame Sue Ion officially opened the college in Cumbria, and
said:
This new training facility will provide access to
world-class technology to individuals looking to start or
further develop their career in the nuclear industry.
It is an exciting time for the industry, and it is
encouraging to see investments by government, industry
and academia into facilities like the NCfN. The nuclear
sector is really taking an active role in training the
workforce of tomorrow.
The college combines theoretical work with hands-on
experience. There are virtual reality rooms to provide
students with experience of working in a nuclear
environment, an engineering workshop is equipped with the
latest technology, laboratories and simulated ‘restricted’
areas give a detailed view of the work involved at a
nuclear plant.
Colin Reed, NCfN Board Chair
said:
I’m excited about the opportunities that this brand-new
training facility will offer young people at Sellafield,
in the supply chain and globally once they’ve completed
their courses.
Sellafield Ltd and EDF Energy will work alongside Lakes
College and Bridgwater, plus higher education providers
University of Cumbria and University of Bristol, and aim
to train 3,500 people by 2020.
Sellafield’s mission is changing as we transition into a
fully-fledged environmental restoration project. This
will require re-training and reskilling of our staff and
a new pipeline of talented individuals with higher level
skills across a range of disciplines.
NCfN northern
site operations director, Les Agnew said: “The college has
taken 12 months to build, and offers a range of
qualifications, from post-16 access courses through to
degrees. Subjects include robotics, systems and mechanical
engineering.
“Lakes College, who will deliver the curriculum, have a new
nuclear staff of five who have professional nuclear
experience and academic qualifications.
“We have been able to invest in world-class technology
thanks to initial investment from government, and
sponsorship from companies in the North West. I can’t wait
to have a full college of 300 students, some full time and
others on block release, meeting the needs of the
industries in Cumbria.”
