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The Future of Construction in the Nuclear Sector
Does the UK have the skills for the £15billion to be invested in nuclear construction?
The Construction Centre.co.uk today reported that the proposed building of new nuclear plants will bring a £15billion investment to the construction industry over the next decade. However it warned that currently the skill set needed for many of the jobs required are not available in the UK.
It has been over 20 years since the last nuclear power station was built in the UK and although the government has set out plans to build a new generation of stations, the skills needed for construction may be hard to find. Last month the government announced a £50 million plan to invest in skills training for science based industries of which nuclear is a part. The Construction Centre said that whether this investment would be enough for the grand schemes ahead, was debatable.
The Construction Centre said that although the investment into the industry for the new power plants would provide a much needed lift to the sector, it would fall short if most of the work opportunities went to foreign labour. With France very much at the forefront of nuclear power technology the temptation to employ workers who already have experience in the industry could be overwhelming and serve only to widen the skills shortage gap in the UK.
Richard Simmons, Managing Director at The Construction Centre said “With the economic downturn looking so bleak over the next 5 years, it is critical that investment and promotion into new skills training for the construction industry actually happens. There is already an increase in unemployment and if people can re-train or move towards new or developing industries which have longevity such as nuclear or renewable energy, it will serve to help drive the economy forward.
The Construction Centre warned that planning and foresight for the long term should be a key strategy for the government with regard to the construction industry. Job opportunities in the industry should be filled by those living in the UK where possible and only clear action on training and investment into the skills which are needed, would achieve this goal. If the UK cannot manage without French skills in this sector then it is vital that the two countries work in partnership such that a least the UK nuclear skill set improves for the longer term scenario.
For more information visit:
http://www.theconstructioncentre.co.uk
http://www.theconstructioncentre.co.uk/jobs/
http://www.theconstructioncentre.co.uk/courses/
Notes for Editors:
www.theconstructioncentre.co.uk
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