New apprenticeship programme launched by Nuclear Decommissioning Authority
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A new finance apprenticeship programme is being launched by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) based across its group of businesses, including Dounreay.
The announcement was made during the 15th annual Apprenticeship Week which has theme "Build the Future". The NDA says its apprentices are contributing to one of the most important environmental clean-up programmes in the world.
The pilot scheme will support the authority's efforts to ensure it has "the right skills in place at the right time".
David Vineall, NDA group chief people officer, said: “Our mission to clean up the UK’s earliest nuclear sites is one of the most important environmental remediation programmes in the world, with work at some of our sites continuing for over 100 years.
“It’s vital we attract new talent into our businesses to enable us to deliver our mission.
"The work we do is varied, exciting and challenging and the opportunities and careers we can offer are rewarding. Apprenticeships play an important role by providing us with a pipeline of talent.
“I’m incredibly proud of our apprentices and the contribution they make to the NDA group. We have a rich and established history in investing in apprenticeships and we will continue this commitment and investment for many years to come.
“National Apprenticeship Week is a great way to celebrate their achievements and thank them for the role they play in the success of our mission.
“The breadth and variety of roles we’re featuring demonstrates the diversity of opportunity available across the NDA group.”
National Apprenticeship Week runs from February 7-13.
Katie Wightman, who was named UK Nuclear Apprentice of the Year at the National Skills Academy Nuclear Awards 2021, now works at Sellafield.
She said: “Joining the nuclear industry genuinely changed my life. What’s great about the industry is that it’s ever changing and diverse. That appealed to me massively and I knew I wanted to be part of it."
Jack Lopresti MP, co-chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Apprenticeships, said: “I am a huge supporter of apprenticeships, as they are an open door into the world of work. Apprentices earn while they learn.
“I am glad that National Apprenticeship Week offers the whole country the chance to see something of the great work done by apprentices with great support from employers.
“As we build back after the Covid pandemic, we need to reset our economy for a world that is rapidly evolving. Apprenticeships in the nuclear industry represent opportunities in a world-beating sector and are just the sort of skills our country needs.”
