16 mai 2024

Babcock signs UK charter to secure critical nuclear skills

Babcock has reinforced its commitment to securing the critical nuclear skills the UK needs to deliver national security and energy resilience.

Alongside Nuclear Skills Executive Council members, Babcock CEO David Lockwood signed the new UK Nuclear Skills Charter, a collaborative approach to delivering the 10-year National Nuclear Strategic Plan for Skills (NNSPS), to upskill and retain the current workforce, to attract skilled employees from across the UK, to significantly increase the investment in early careers, as well as investing in the nuclear leaders of the future. The NNSPS will build a strong and resilient UK nuclear capability for the future.

David Lockwood said: “The defence and civil nuclear sectors underpin thousands of jobs across the UK and this collaborative national endeavour is about making sure the UK has the skills it needs.

“With Government, academia and industry working together, we will upskill today’s UK nuclear workforce and open up career opportunities to a broader range of people. Attracting people with different backgrounds and experience will help ensure the UK has the nuclear skills needed for today and tomorrow.”

Babcock plays a critical role across the nuclear enterprise, delivering nationally important programmes such as the maintenance of the UK’s fleet of nuclear submarines and the provision of critical support to the country’s nuclear power facilities.

As a key industrial partner delivering the NNSPS, Babcock is taking a leading role in developing the South West regional hub, working collaboratively with industry and education partners to identify areas of opportunity for enhancing nuclear skills. We are actively supporting Destination Nuclear, the first ever national nuclear communications and recruitment campaign, and have provided full-time executive support to the government-led task force. 

Last year, we launched our own Skills Academy, focusing on developing the current and future nuclear skills we need to support the UK’s civil and defence sectors, including supporting the submarine enterprise. More than 2,000 people are expected to pass through the Skills Academy in its first three years, and a further 10,000 over the following five years.