Not all roles mean young people have to have a nuclear physics degree – the nuclear sector offers a range of technical apprenticeships as well as graduate positions which can build the skills base ready for new build projects and ongoing decommissioning work.
The UK has a very strong academic research community in nuclear power, which is respected internationally, and conducts leading work through the National Nuclear Laboratory as well as in universities across the country.
To create a skilled workforce the NIA is calling on the Government to:
Ensure more focus is placed on STEM subjects at a young age, through the national curriculum, to encourage students into these increasingly essential careers
Guarantee continued support to high skilled, high valued, apprenticeship schemes to encourage young people into the nuclear sector