Cogent: NVQs in Nuclear Decommissioning and Radiation Protection now accredited

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Monday, 09, Jul 2007 12:00

Cogent SSC, the nuclear industry’s national skills council, reports the accreditation of new/replacement Level 2 and 3 NVQs in Nuclear Decommissioning and in Radiation Protection, These replace previous Level 2 NVQs and are available to all new entrants.

There is also a new Level 4 NVQ in Radiation Protection, replacing the previous version.

The new qualifications are accredited by the QCA – Qualifications and Curriculum Authority www.qca.org.uk - and will be awarded by City and Guilds www.cityandguilds.com.

The qualifications will be delivered by specialist providers. Scottish Vocational Qualifications are expected to be available shortly.

These new NVQs are referenced in the National Database of Accredited Qualifications www.accreditedqualifications.org.uk

Cogent and the nuclear industry are addressing the skills mix needed to ensure that the power generation, fuel cycle and decommissioning programmes of work are carried out safely and securely: these qualifications are essential to development of a qualified workforce for the decommissioning and radiation protection roles across the industry.

The development of the National Occupational Standards (NOS) which underpin these NVQs was undertaken by Cogent with nuclear employers in Industry Working Groups. NVQs are assessed in the workplace and are designed around key job roles and the NOS describe in detail performance requirements, knowledge and evidence for the individual.

The Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications have a mix of mandatory and optional units designed to provide for people undertaking operations and in supervisory roles. At both levels health and safety are key.

The NVQs provide a progressive development route for people in these fields.

The Nuclear Decommissioning Level 3 offers alternative Supervisory and Technical routes.

The decommissioning programme is recognised as a vital and mammoth task which will make the environment safe for generations to come. The older plants are firstly defuelled, then dismantled and the sites will then be cleaned up ready for reuse.

The programme is being managed by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA). Each decommissioning site now has a Lifetime Plan (LTP), specifying the scope, schedule and cost of all the work to be carried out at the site to clearance. These are extremely long ranging plans detailing activity well into the next century in some cases.

Many of the skills required will not be strictly “nuclear” specific, such as those related to demolition of cleared buildings. However availability of nuclear skills is essential in meeting the overall LTP. A well qualified workforce is needed and will need continuing replenishment by skilled new recruits for a long time to come.

Cogent Nuclear Skills Director, John Haddon said: “Nuclear specific skills will be needed for the foreseeable future on all licensed nuclear sites to ensure safe working conditions both during and after operation and ultimately to make these sites clean and safe for reuse.”

Notes to Editors

About Cogent

Cogent is the Sector Skills Council (SSC) for the chemicals and pharmaceuticals, nuclear, oil and gas, petroleum and polymer industries. It is one of 25 SSCs which, together with the Sector Skills Development Agency (SSDA), form the Skills for Business Network (SfBN). Cogent has finalised its Sector Skills Agreement (SSA) following 18 months of research and consultation with employers across its footprint. This agreement represents a long-term relationship between employers and stakeholders to deliver relevant skills, training and development to employers in the Cogent industries. The resulting action plan is based on the assessment of current and future skills needs, as well as current training and education provision. Five key programmes for the sector, which cut across industry boundaries, have now been drawn up and endorsed by key stakeholders.

Nuclear Power and fuel cycle

The nuclear industry in the UK operates 10 nuclear power stations, generating about 20% of the UK’s electricity. Nuclear saves the equivalent of the carbon emissions from all the UK’s cars on the road. The nuclear fuel cycle operations in the UK are of major international importance and can provide for all the needs of the UK and for much of the export demand.

Decommissioning

Many UK power stations are coming to the end of their life and they are presently moving into decommissioning phase. The old nuclear research sites have been in decommissioning since the 1990s. The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) was formed in 2005 to take responsibility for the decommissioning and clean-up of 20 of the older UK civil nuclear sites. The launch of the NDA marked the start of a programme that will cost over £50 billion and could take more than 100 years to complete.