Managing Director Phil Redfern explains why React Engineering has taken a unique approach to addressing the skills shortage within the nuclear industry by introducing React Futures, an undergraduate employment programme aimed at developing the next generation of engineers.
“AS UK industry looks to move to more sustainable ways of generating electricity and using fewer carbon emissions, the need to safely dispose of waste from more traditional methods has never been more important.
“The nuclear decommissioning industry must demonstrate that we can safely and cost effectively deal with the wastes arising from historic operations and safely decommission the wide range of highly complex and potentially hazardous legacy industrial assets.
“The Government’s £100m investment in the Sizewell C project, a proposal for a nuclear power station which will generate enough low carbon electricity to supply six million homes across the UK and avoid using an estimated nine million tonnes of carbon emissions by replacing traditional fossil fuel power, is a big indicator that nuclear power remains a key part of the UK’s energy generation mix in the journey to net zero.
“It has to be said that our industry can suffer from a lack of diverse thinking and pragmatism, particularly during the early stages of project definition and design development, and this needs to be addressed if we are to progress decommissioning in a timely and cost-effective manner.
“More than ever, there is an increased demand for talented people, and young people, including graduates, should be the lifeblood of our industry; they have the fresh ideas, a varied approach to problem solving and the energy and enthusiasm to make things happen.
“A key to our approach needs to focus on building capability for the future and to achieve this we need a pipeline of talented, young people with the right technical qualifications to go with the softer skills typically obtained by individuals who have studied for a degree at university.
“Due to the geography of the React Engineering headquarters in West Cumbria, there are a unique set of challenges and barriers to attract, develop and retain the required talented individuals to deliver such complex decommissioning programmes and enable sustainable business growth and diversification.
“This is why we have created an innovative undergraduate employment scheme, React Futures, where we offer school leavers an opportunity to kick start their career in the industry through an ongoing support programme.
“As part of the programme, people will get a job from day one and they will gain valuable work experience which many have struggled to obtain during the pandemic. They will get one year in industry with React Engineering before heading off to university to study full-time.
“To attract young people to the Futures programme, we offer an attractive salary throughout their university years, practical work experience during the summer holidays and a full-time job in a supportive yet challenging environment once they have graduated.
“But it doesn’t end there as at React they will benefit from continuous professional development as they work towards attaining renowned Chartered status in their field of expertise.
“Young people truly are our future and, with additional support from React’s charitable organisation The React Foundation which inspires and encourages young people to study STEM subjects, we are fully committed to developing and shaping the very best talent in the UK.”
