In this proposed project, we will develop a “Plug and Play Programme” that will be led through a consortium comprising Imperial College London, Constructionarium and Cogent Sector Skills Council, involving expertise from industry, professional bodies and the higher education institutes across the England and Wales.

This programme will address the immediate to long-term skills requirements of UK Nuclear New Build, develop curriculum based on international experiences of nuclear new build (identified in Nuclear Lessons Learned),and embed the principles of employer engagement in HE curricula development identified through Engineering Graduates for Industry.

Pilot Module developed and delivered in June 2011 with Imperial College London, engaging 20 students from civil and nuclear engineering;

Module refined for regional partner use, with pilot programmes operating a minimum number of 20 students per regional partner in the period June 2011-May 2012; total of 100 students);

Identify and develop pilot programmes with cross-STEM partners and professional bodies;

A complete CPD programme delivery module including scenario based learning activities, assessments and delivery mechanisms for academia for lecturers engaging in new build programmes;

An complete employer pack to enable engagement and delivery of the Nuclear Island module: this will including information for employers on how to engage with the Nuclear Island module delivery, and will focus on the expectations of their staff, essential information on how to engage with university partners, how the programme is funded, and concise information on the costings and required funds from employers; it will also provide a good practice guide to development, delivery and assessment of the programme and their role within that mechanism;

Dissemination of the programme via colloquia and publication of the case study across networks of employers and Higher Education bodies for the wide uptake of HE and industry partnerships;

An open day at Constructionarium, and a final VIP event to launch the programme into the public domain.

The first set of students to experience nuclear new build, and identify their key skills, knowledge and understanding of the new build sector;

Students that can identify with career pathways within the industry and show experiential learning, and employer interaction;
students that can use their knowledge in a business environment and show impact of decision making to their customer;

A good working practice model for consortia of higher and further education partners across STEM subject areas;

A good working practice model for consortia of employers from across the STEM disciplines, reducing risk through partnership, engagement and curriculum design;

Interaction of staff, students and employers with the further and higher education sectors with learning outcomes for all;

Nationally recognised sustainable programme for use by multiple users, aiding in national and local delivery.