Quality Apprenticeship Scheme
Due to the long standing demographic issue and the identification of a skills shortage within the nuclear sector a new trailblazer pathway for the nuclear quality professional has been created and it was agreed that the nuclear engineer and nuclear scientist route would be used to help to establish a new quality engineer degree pathway.
The newly established quality engineer pathway is a five-year Level 6 degree course. The apprentices will study for three years to attain a Foundation Degree in Engineering, followed by a further two years of study to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (BEng).
A programme of work-based activities, aligned with the academic studies, has been developed for the apprentices who will be employed four days a week within their parent companies to undertake business-related activities.
These activities are designed to give the apprentices practical hands-on learning, and support the CQI Competency Framework and the National Skills Academy for Nuclear Quality Competencies needed to develop their skills, knowledge and behaviours. The apprentices will also attend college one day a week to study the academic modules for their degree.
So far, seven apprentices have been recruited – five for Sellafield, one for Balfour Beatty and one for Morgan Sindall. These apprentices are the first in the UK to undertake this new apprenticeship pathway.
The new pathway has been supported by the CQI and its Nuclear Special Interest Group, some of whom were involved in the development of the new pathway.
As nuclear new-build projects move forward, the need for skilled quality professionals will increase. The profession has now reached a point where a new generation of quality engineers can be developed. These apprentices will also become members of the CQI and its interest groups as part of their overall development.
This new generation of quality professionals will be working in the construction, operation, supply chain and decommissioning areas of Sellafield and will provide them with exciting opportunities for their futures.