The Nuclear AMRC has worked with companies along the UK’s nuclear supply chain to help them compete by raising quality and productivity, reducing costs, and developing new capabilities and skills.
Our flagship Fit For Nuclear programme was launched in 2011 as a unique service to help UK manufacturers get ready to bid for work in civil nuclear, allowing companies to measure their operations against industry standards and take the necessary steps to close any gaps. We have also developed programmes based on the Fit For model in other low-carbon sectors including offshore renewables, carbon capture and hydrogen production.
Most of the companies working through our supplier development programmes have been small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). By helping smaller manufacturers understand what the market expects from them, what they may be capable of supplying, and where they sit in the nuclear supply chain, we demystify the nuclear sector and remove barriers to entry.
To the end of August 2024, companies participating in our supply chain development programmes – Fit For Nuclear (2011-date), Fit For Offshore Renewables (2018-date), Fit For Hydrogen and CCUS (2023) and Civil Nuclear Sharing in Growth (2013-17) – have reported that our support helped them to win more than £3.7 billion of new contracts, creating or safeguarding an estimated 13,000 jobs, and securing £162 million additional private investment.
We have also worked on skills development in collaboration with industry and training partners. In 2022, we worked with Rolls-Royce and the University of Derby to help create the Nuclear Skills Academy, which is now training 200 apprentices a year. And in 2023, we launched a new Nuclear Scientist and Nuclear Engineer Degree Apprenticeship in partnership with the AMRC Training Centre.
