A national skills academy for the nuclear sector has been approved by skills minister, David Lammy.
The academy joins those already established for construction, manufacturing, financial services and food and drinks manufacturing. It is expected to open to learners in January 2008.
Academies for the process industries, cultural and hospitalityand creative sectors are also expected to open this year and government aims to have 12 up and running by 2008.
The skills academies are intended to improve the standard of industry training, increase productivity and tackle skills shortages across the UK.
The latest in the set has received £8m funding from engineering contractor Fluor Ltd, service management firm Serco, and engineering firm Washington Group International.
Additional backing has been received from British Nuclear Fuels (BNFL), the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, and United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA).
David Lammy said: “It is great news that we are able to welcome the nuclear sector to the national skills academy network, and this moves us a step closer to reaching our 2008 target.
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“National skills academies are vital for the future productivity of this country as they address the real need for industry-specific training that is developed by employers and delivered in a way that best meets individual sector requirements”.
Last week, Lammy raised eyebrows when he failed to turn up to deliver the keynote speech at a skills event in London.
