NTEC: A Consortium Approach to Develop and Support the Nuclear Workforce

The successful implementation and continual operation of nuclear power plants and associated facilities is dependent on an educated workforce across many disciplines and many levels. Due to the nature of nuclear energy, subject matter experts for all the nuclear technologies utilised on site are a cornerstone of this workforce. The Nuclear Technology Education Consortium was established in the UK in 2005 to meet the demand for these nuclear specialists with fifteen courses provided by the NTEC members which comprises six universities and the Nuclear Department of the Defence Academy. The content of the courses was decided upon after consultation with industry which also advised the NTEC members to provide the courses in a one-week intensive format, as well as a web-based distance learning format, to provide the flexibility required for the current workforce to benefit from the programme as well as newly graduated undergraduates. The full-time students can complete the Master's programme in one-year while the part-time students take three years to allow for their full-time job as well. Over 100 students are now accessing the NTEC programme each year whether for individual courses for continual professional development, for a Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma or taking eight courses and completing a dissertation for the full Master's in Nuclear Science and Technology. The NTEC programme continues to evolve and improve through continual feedback from the students and lecturers, and annual consultations with an External Advisory Board whose members are representatives of the major nuclear companies in the UK. After twelve very successful years the NTEC programme continues to develop and support the nuclear workforce both in the UK and globally. (author)