The Certificate of Nuclear Professionalism
"Working together to develop nationally competent and transferable professionals for the nuclear industry through the development of a Certificate of Nuclear Professionalism."
The Certificate of Nuclear Professionalism is currently under development with a view for full roll out in September 2011.
What is the Certificate of Nuclear Professionalism?
The Certificate is a post graduate qualification supporting continued professional development of existing and new members of the UK nuclear industry workforce.
It is being designed in partnership with nuclear employers and the Open University to ensure that the content and structure of the framework that supports the Certificate is specified by them and delivered by a mix of employer and higher education partners.
The Certificate will incorporate training modules delivered through employer accredited training/learning, distance learning and traditional taught lessons. It builds on employer workshops hosted by the Skills Academy and facilitated by Cranfield University, which clearly identified the employer needs and requirements for higher level skills development in the sector.
Who will it be suitable for?
- All Employer Members of the National Skills Academy for Nuclear.
- New graduate entrants to the nuclear sector both from full and foundation degree level.
- Existing members of the nuclear workforce wanting to develop their career.
- Individuals wishing to enter the nuclear sector.
- All people who want to develop the appropriate behaviours for working in the nuclear industry.
What will the key elements be?
- A flexible learning Framework.
- Development of nuclear professionals through learning of enhanced behavioural, commercial, project management and science, technical and engineering skills.
- Delivery of specific modules by the appropriate partners.
- Accreditation of workplace learning.
- Incorporation onto the Nuclear Skills Passport.
- Professional recognition through the Nuclear Institute leading to professional membership
Benefits:
- Supports employers to develop a skilled, safe, competent and professional workforce.
- Provides portability of employment as a result of national standards and recognition.
- Ensures employers and employees remain competitive in a changing labour market.
- Will enable individuals to gain new qualifications, rewarding and accrediting the time spent on skills development.
- Supports progression to chartered status and national recognition by the Nuclear Institute.
- Gives an individual the ability to demonstrate the right skills to be a nuclear professional.
- Raises the profile of the UK nuclear industry.
Employer/Higher Education partner involvement:
- Dedicated multi disciplined steering group developing a pilot programme.
- Active employer involvement in developing the full roll out of the Certificate programme following a successful pilot exercise.
- Agreement of standards that will apply to the Certificate.
- Evaluation and monitoring of progress.
- Forms part of the broader Cogent HE strategy enabling learning across the Cogent footprint.
What’s happening now/next?
- Pilot programme being managed by the National Skills Academy for Nuclear and the Open University with the support of the employer steering group and Cranfield University.
- Pilot programme to be run, monitored and evaluated by end 2010 leading to attainment of professional qualifications in 2012.
- Identification of appropriate HE partners to deliver the agreed modules on the Framework.
- Supporting other key skills agenda initiatives and the development of the Nuclear Skills Passport platform.
- Ensuring alignment with Cogent Sector Skills Council Working Higher project and other HE strategies in nuclear and other industry sectors.
- Integration of UCLan modules being developed on Safety Case.
The pilot is funded by the Northwest Higher Level Skills Partnership and will be based in the Northwest of England.
