Babtie tackles nuclear industry skills shortage

Babtie Group, the leading technical and management consultancy, is taking steps to tackle the skills shortage in the nuclear industry by holding courses aimed at giving its graduate recruits an introduction to the field.

The skills shortage was highlighted in the DTiís Report of the Nuclear Skills Group*, which said: ìconservative estimates suggest that the sector will require around 50,000 new recruits over the next 15 yearsî.

The three-day residential course was developed in conjunction with the Department of Nuclear Science and Technology, HMS Sultan, and delivered at its teaching facilities at the Royal Navyís School of Marine and Air Engineering in Gosport recently. Two further courses will take place in 2004.

Aimed at graduate recruits and new members of Babtieís nuclear team it is the first step in building a wider nuclear training programme for Babtie and comprises:

Regulation in the UK nuclear industry, including the regulatory framework and associated safety and management principles
Current reactor and nuclear technology
Nuclear facility accident studies
Nuclear science overview including the basic principles of health physics, shielding and nuclear physics
Risk and hazard assessment techniques
A workshop session analysing a fictional storage facility, taking students through the methods employed to analyse hazards presented by the facility and the safety arguments made in putting together a nuclear safety case

David Baird, head of Babtieís Facilities business centre, said: ìThe nuclear industry is crying out for qualified staff. At Babtie we are committed to the training and development of our staff and this introduction to the nuclear industry will give new members of Babtieís nuclear team an understanding of the issues our clients face and we in this challenging marketplace. As the nuclear industry moves from the construction of manufacturing plant and power stations to site restoration and nuclear clean-up, our multi-discipline approach is proving to be very successful.î

Babtie Groupís nuclear team provides safety services to the nuclear industry. Employing 160 consultants, it specialises in the production of safety cases and plant modification submissions. Over the past five year, Babtie has worked on a series of high-profile nuclear industry projects including the design of a world first docking cradle for nuclear submarines and the delivery of technical and management support to BNFL and UKAEA through direct commissions and through alliances with companies such as Mitsui Babcock, NUKEM, Alstec, Taylor Woodrow and Serco.


Babtie Group is a leading technical and management consultancy. With a turnover of around 170 million, Babtie employs more than 3500 staff in a network of over 50 offices throughout the UK and worldwide.