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B&FC: Delivering Nuclear Skills with NSAN
About the College
Blackpool and The Fylde College (B&FC) deliver industry-aligned technical education from Level 2 to degree-level, with significant strengths in engineering and nuclear. The college’s offer includes apprenticeships and higher education programmes validated by Lancaster University. The tutors are drawn from industry and regularly refresh their experience in the field. The college inspection is strong “Ofsted rating ‘Good’, with ‘Outstanding’ in four areas” and they have recently confirmed a merger with Furness College to further expand their reach.
Claire Adongo, Client Relationship Manager says:
“Most of our tutors, trainers, lecturers and skills coaches come from industry, and as part of their CPD they go back out into industry every year for at least two weeks.”
B&FC recently developed a new nuclear sector strategy for the college, and this has led to a step change in their engagement with NSAN.
What NSAN products/services have you used?
NSAN events and forums are important, providing not only networking and business opportunities, but also useful sector intelligence which can be fed back to the college teams who write and plan their curriculum.
“Member events are really helpful and tell us what we need to be looking out for. They directly inform curriculum planning which is useful as our team have to write content 5-6 years in advance.”
The college hosted NSAN’s regional in-person forum, which provide an excellent opportunity to showcase their facilities for members, and an insight day on ‘digital and AI skills for nuclear’ in October 2025.
B&FC uses NSAN membership as a relationship-based way to create links with companies working in the nuclear sector. The college team then nurture and develop those relationships.
“Over the last 18 months, our work with NSAN has really stepped up. There have been a number of companies who NSAN has facilitated an introduction to. I’ve then spoken to people who I’d never have spoken to without NSAN. Their events are wonderful.”
This has directly led to new business:
“We’ve helped [the Office for Nuclear Regulation] recruit for their new nuclear engineering apprentices. That has come about through our relationship with NSAN.”
NSAN’s account management is considered first class.
“We do have a monthly meeting with Esther, our account manager. She takes all the notes, then she actions them all. She’s fabulous. I cannot praise her highly enough. We have a great friendly relationship with NSAN. They are so personable, nothing is too much trouble. They’re just always there.”
Key achievements
Picture shows the Blackpool & the Fylde and BAE Systems Submarines teams with host Colin Murray.
Winning the Best Employer & Training Provider Partnership (UK Nuclear Skills Awards 2025, organised by NSAN & Cogent Skills), jointly with BAE Systems (Submarines), was a major highlight.
“The bid we submitted to the Skills Award (for best collaboration) was absolutely incredible, I was agog – what a bid. Then to get that recognition in front of the industry was amazing. Credit to the team at NSAN. What a fabulous event!”
A senior manager from BAE Systems explains why the partnership stood out in a competitive field.
“It was two-fold: the duration of our partnership and how it’s grown in numbers to support what we’ve been asked to do as part of the National Nuclear Skills Plan. We then shared the win across the business and on social media which definitely helped from a reputation perspective. It just sends the right signal about where BAE positions itself in supporting the industry.”
In what ways does NSAN add value to your business?
Membership has both commercial and reputational benefits. NSAN offers access but also is a strong signal of quality and credibility. “It’s like a badge of honour to be members of NSAN.”
Claire would absolutely recommend NSAN membership to others
“I’d recommend NSAN to any organisation if you’re in the sector, whether the supply chain, an SME or a levy-paying company. It can only be a benefit as it’s a great network to be part of.”
Learning
Claire reflects that investing in membership is key, as benefits increase in proportion to this investment. There is more to do, with the regional clusters offering the next opportunity. Again, NSAN will be involved.
“We want to be part of that cluster as a provider. Esther is like a dog with a bone! She won’t let it go.”
Tools available to members
Capability Model for the UK Nuclear Industry
This document has been developed to clearly articulate to Senior Representatives within the nuclear sector (Operators and Supply Chain) the various skills development tools and techniques (Capability Model) available for implementation by member organisations of NSAN and Cogent Skills.
Maturity Assessment Guide
To assist NSAN members with the implementation of the products within the Capability Model, a self –assessment ‘Maturity Assessment Tool’ has been developed for members to use to assess their progress against the Capability Model.
Systematic Approach to Training (SAT) Guide
To help organisations and individuals identify the appropriate products and services that meet their business needs, NSAN developed the ‘Capability Model for the UK Nuclear Industry – Good practice approach to training, accreditation and nuclear professionalism’.
Our members
Benefits of Membership
Relationship
Dedicated support from a Relationship Manager – you will benefit from face-to-face meetings and have a direct contact for any queries in between meetings. If you need support on anything skills-related, your Relationship Manager will be ready to help.
Networking
Join leading industry groups and attend our events for opportunities to network with other key figures in the industry.
Have your Say
Get involved in developing solutions to specific skills issues. NSAN also provides an operational voice into government on how the changes to the skills landscape are affecting companies.
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