The South West Nuclear Hub are advocating for and advancing the presence of nuclear throughout the South West of England and beyond. Their ambitions span the pursuit of world-leading research and innovation, through to addressing the increasing skills gaps facing the industry.
We spoke to Meg Hicks at the Hub to find out more about the work they are doing to boost recruitment and retention, and support women through education and recruitment into nuclear.
Tackling the challenges
The South West Nuclear Hub hold a vibrant alliance with academic, industrial and governmental institutions.
Tapping into this, we continue to facilitate successful collaborations between research groups and our industrial Applied Research members to tackle key challenges facing the UK civil nuclear sector, such as:
- Nuclear science for energy production across the whole nuclear lifecycle
- The realisation of Net Zero
- Global health
Linking the right people to the right challenges
A major part of the Hub’s strategy is the recruitment and retainment of talented people into the nuclear industry. Our close ties with research groups and projects cover a multitude of specialisms: from robotics to decommissioning; materials to digital innovation.
We are therefore able to link the right people to the right challenge. Our industrial members (such as EDF, Magnox) are also invested in the skills of the next generation of nuclear talent. The University of Bristol hosts a Master’s Programme in Nuclear Science and Engineering which sees just over 50% of its graduates enter the nuclear workforce and a third going on to study PhDs. Students on the programme have the opportunity to complete a research project directly supported by industry.
Aishwaryalakshmi Menon is coming to the end of her time on the MSc. In the final weeks of her project, titled “Modelling and behaviour characterization of fluid elementary complex systems of EPR at Hinkley Point C”, she has taken a moment to reflect on her experiences and what’s next.
“The course majorly helped with getting a job by offering the industrial placement; it helped me network and in turn find various job opportunities within the industry”.
The future is looking bright. Aishwaryalakshmi worked with Framatome UK and supervisors from Edvance throughout the duration of her research project and has many options to continue working with them moving forward.
“My plan after the MSc is to work in the nuclear industry; gain some hands-on experience and represent and encourage more women to take up nuclear courses”.
Women in Nuclear
As a key representative for nuclear in the region, the South West Nuclear Hub is excellently placed to work with its members and community to encourage gender diversity. To coincide with International Women’s Day 2023, the Hub signed the Women in Nuclear Industry Charter, joining over 60 organisations in committing to actions which contribute to recruitment and retainment of a more diverse workforce. In addition to this, the Hub drafted and published its own pledge, with bespoke aims and actions central to our strategy, in support of the content of the charter and to gender diversity.
Following the publication, the South West Nuclear Hub sponsored the Women in Nuclear Speed Networking event which preceded the Nuclear Institute Western Branch Annual Dinner in March. We supported a number of students to attend the mentoring event and, through our sponsorship, the event was free to all participants. It was a fantastic initiative; mentees looking to pursue a career in nuclear were able to have one-to-one conversations with established individuals across the industry, and feedback from the event was extremely positive! Industry figures enthusiastically shared knowledge and experience with the next generation – it was inspiring to see.
Future work and advocation
There is still plenty of work to be done. We will continue to work closely with our regional Women in Nuclear UK representatives, with plans to host workshops and seminars here at the Hub which will focus on employability and confidence in the workplace.
It is embedded in our ethos to advocate for and promote routes into the industry – including through nuclear higher education, which continues to face challenge and adversity through lack of funding from government, contrary to public announcements. We are working with our academic and industrial partners and leveraging our network to influence policy.
When asked for advice to other young women who may not realise that nuclear science is for them, Aishwaryalakshmi offered some excellent insight: “There is no such thing as a silly question. Just go with your instincts (they may actually be right most of the time!) and be confident in what you believe”.
Career opportunities for the next generations
In October, the Hub will be promoting career opportunities to the new cohort of MSc Nuclear Science and Engineering students and indeed across the vast array of Engineering and Physics students at the University of Bristol. If you or your company would be interested in joining us to talk about your career paths and opportunities, please get in touch with the South West Nuclear Hub at enquiries@southwestnuclearhub.ac.uk.