A Transformational Month for Nuclear Skills: Addressing the UK’s Talent Gap
March 2026 has been a milestone in advancing the UK’s nuclear skills agenda. As Managing Director of the National Skills Academy for Nuclear (NSAN), I am delighted to witness a series of initiatives that promise to shape the future of nuclear talent. Within just a few weeks, government action and collaborative partnerships have demonstrated the UK’s commitment to nuclear innovation, energy security, and investment in people.
While developing skills nationally remains essential, harnessing regional strengths is equally vital. The Nuclear Skills Hubs in the Northwest, Southwest, Midlands, and Scotland demonstrate the value of tailored training for local communities. Major projects such as Sizewell C and Hinkley Point C are driving growth, with Sizewell C already welcoming over 100 apprentices and targeting 1,500. Hinkley Point C has trained more than 1,700 apprentices, signalling the scale and breadth of opportunities emerging across the country.
On the 12th March, the UK Nuclear Skills Awards 2026 brought the sector together to celebrate excellence and the achievements of apprentices, graduates, and training providers. The awards also acknowledged industry professionals, EDI champions, and company achievements in social impact. NSAN partners with Cogent Skills to deliver this annual event, honouring those driving progress and innovation in the sector.
The 13th March was a busy news day for industry as the Rolls-Royce SMR programme received formal regulatory justification from government. This follows the previously announced selection of the Wylfa site on Anglesey as being chosen to host the first fleet of three SMRs, managed by Great British Energy–Nuclear. Initial site activities are expected later in 2026, with the aim to deliver power by the mid-2030s.
The government also announced £65.6 million funding to train more than 500 doctoral students in nuclear fission disciplines, a crucial step towards meeting the anticipated need for skilled professionals by the 2030s. This initiative is a core component of the Nuclear Skills Plan, which seeks to quadruple the intake of nuclear fission doctoral students. Seven Doctoral Focal Awards (DFAs) will foster partnerships between universities and industry, nurturing talent in areas including the nuclear fuel cycle, advanced technologies, leadership, and physics-led applications.
Another milestone arrived with the publication of the UK’s Fusion Strategy on 16 March 2026. This strategy sets out how the UK will develop a commercial fusion energy market and positions the UK to compete as a global leader in fusion. As part of this, a plan backed by £50 million will help make the UK a hub for fusion skills and innovation, aiming to train over 2,000 people through apprenticeships and related programmes. In addition, a £45 million investment in ‘Sunrise’, the UK’s first AI supercomputer dedicated to fusion energy, based at the University of Cambridge in partnership with UKAEA, will accelerate fusion design, modelling and associated skills development.
Most recently, 18th March brought progress with the ONR granting a new site licence to Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS). This will enable Hunterston B power station, to be transferred to NRS for decommissioning and clean-up from the 1st April.
This significant progress is made possible through collaboration between government, academia, and industry. As the sector’s independent partner on nuclear skills, NSAN is committed to fostering cooperation, supporting companies of all sizes, promoting inclusive pathways, and ensuring everyone with the drive and potential for nuclear has access to high quality skills and workforce development to compete for the emerging opportunities.
Within NSAN, the increased awareness of opportunities has led to a surge in registrations for NSAN programmes. More people than ever are seeking guidance and training, encouraged by the sector’s growing visibility and ambition. Programmes like GAIN provide invaluable support for new entrants, smoothing their journey into the industry. The enthusiasm of the increasingly diverse talent helps to address the skills gaps and strengthens the sector’s long-term resilience and innovation.
As we are now at the end of March, I wonder what news April will bring. The pace of progress and the spirit of collaboration suggest that further developments could be on the horizon, continuing to shape the landscape of nuclear skills and opportunities.
Tricia Austin, Managing Director, NSAN