Today’s announcement of a £14.2 billion investment in Sizewell C marks a long-overdue, but very welcome, commitment to building the UK’s low-carbon future, bringing with it the promise of 10,000 new jobs and 1,500 apprenticeships.
Welcome news also comes today for Rolls-Royce SMR, who have been successfully selected by Great British Nuclear as the preferred bidder to build the country’s first small modular reactors. This could support up to 3,000 more jobs at peak construction.
IDN stands ready to support nuclear organisations at all levels to recruit and retain a diverse range of talent at a very exciting time for the sector.
We know that young people are keen to work on green energy projects – a Capgemini and UNICEF report stated that “Interest in green jobs is similarly strong among UK Gen Z respondents, 66% of whom expressed interest in pursuing such careers.” Today’s announcements provide ample opportunities for young people’s ambitions to build a net-zero future.
Additionally, a recent report from Deloitte highlights that Gen-Z and Millennial employees value diversity and inclusion in the workplace, “…believe managers have a responsibility to foster a positive and inclusive work culture” and that this strongly influences their choice of joining or staying with a company.
IDN are ready to work collaboratively to attract, recruit, and retain talent and to drive cultures where everyone can contribute and thrive, making our sector the ‘sector of choice’.
This moment presents a powerful opportunity for collaboration. Now is the time to come together and work at pace to attract, train and retain the skills and talent we need.
As an evidenced-based organisation, IDN offer:
- Inclusive recruitment and outreach strategies
- Equity-informed workforce planning
- Culturally competent onboarding and retention frameworks
- Training and consultancy tailored to meet the pace of growth the nuclear industry now needs
As an industry, we must ensure that these job opportunities are available to all – and we must make concerted efforts to reach out to the potential recruits from groups that are currently underrepresented or marginalised in the sector.
IDN is currently working on outreach projects aimed at engaging young people early, particularly those who might not be aware of opportunities in nuclear, with a focus on highlighting diverse career pathways in STEM.
We therefore additionally offer:
- Alternative outreach solutions
- Advice and support on alternative pathways
- Opportunities to collaborate on our pathway projects.
As demand for talent rises, the sector must match investment in infrastructure with investment in people, and that includes building the inclusive cultures that allow everybody to progress and thrive.
If you’re recruiting, expanding, or reshaping your teams in response to today’s announcements, let’s do it together.
For more information or interviews please contact:
Hilary Karpinski, hilary@idnuclear.com or press@idnuclear.com
About Inclusion and Diversity in Nuclear
Inclusion and Diversity in Nuclear (IDN) champions workplace inclusion, diversity, and equity through research, training, and evidence-based resources. IDN facilitates conversations and advises on strategies to drive meaningful workforce change.
