Burnham-On-Sea’s MP James Heappey has welcomed a multi-million pound investment from the Government to support the creation of a National College for Nuclear that will be based in Somerset and Cumbria.
The College, which is set to open its doors in late 2017, will meet the demand for highly skilled workers in the nuclear sector and will offer courses designed by employers for a range of highly specialised careers.
James Heappey, who is a member of the Parliamentary Energy and Climate Change Select Committee, said: “Somerset finds itself at the centre of the UK’s new nuclear industry. The announcement that the National College for Nuclear will be based here is hugely welcome and will provide thousands of Somerset residents with the opportunity to launch careers in this exciting industry.”
Skills Minister Nick Boles added: “This is the investment in high-tech skills that businesses are crying out for. We have made it a priority to work with employers to deliver high-quality, technical education and clear routes to employment that deliver economic growth and create opportunities for our young people, and enable our existing workforce to upskill and retrain for the jobs of the future.”
“The National Colleges have been designed with employers, for employers. They will produce the skills needed now and into the future to ensure the UK remains innovative and at the forefront of pioneering industry.”
Based at Lakes College in Cumbria and Bridgwater College, the National College for Nuclear is being funded by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), with additional support from the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership for the Southern Hub.
Sellafield Ltd and EDF Energy will lead industry input into the nuclear college, working alongside Lakes and Bridgwater Colleges, plus higher education providers, University of Cumbria and University of Bristol.
