THE first Nuclear Scientist Degree Apprentices will begin at Bridgwater and Taunton College in wake of Hinkley C being given the green light.

Degree apprenticeships are at the forefront of the Government’s apprenticeship reform policy, and enable students to combine a full Honours degree with real, practical workplace skills and the financial security of a regular pay packet.

They’re designed in consultation with employers to ensure that the education sector delivers the higher level skills that industry really needs, and produces graduates whose thorough understanding of workplace behaviours and cultures enables them to add value to the bottom line from day one.

The BTC/University of the West of England (UWE) Trailblazer programme sees five apprentices from EDF Energy studying alongside 13 from the Ministry of Defence, gaining the knowledge and expertise they’ll need as skilled technicians on the next generation of nuclear power/nuclear deterrent.

Starting with a Foundation Degree in Mechatronics, they’ll initially study full-time at Bridgwater and Taunton College, moving on in their second year either to EDF Energy sites in Hartlepool, Sizewell and Barnwood or to the MoD training base at Abbey Wood.

They’ll gain a wealth of practical experience whilst studying on a block release basis for their NVQ competencies at College and, subsequently, a BSc or BEng at UWE.

Come September 2017, all of the students will move across to the southern hub of the Government’s flagship National College for Nuclear (NCfN), currently being constructed at BTC’s Cannington Centre, close to Hinkley Point C.

NCfN will transform the way that higher level skills are taught, using cutting edge technology and virtual reality simulation to deliver project-based assignments that replicate nuclear workplace scenarios.

EDF Energy’s director of learning and development, Simon Earp, said: “The development of apprentices is key to our strategy to address the gap in higher level skills as we commence work on our new fleet of UK-based nuclear power stations.

"Recognising the developmental nature of Degree Apprenticeships, we are committed to working with the National College for Nuclear to offer access to industry-specific training facilities and the EDF Campus facility at Cannington Court, to ensure students can apply their knowledge to the real world nuclear sector.”

His words were echoed by Matt Tudor, director of business development and marketing at Bridgwater and Taunton College, who said: “Degree Apprenticeships offer young people a perfect blend of academic and technical expertise coupled with real work experience.

"Bridgwater and Taunton College is delighted to be working with industry and university partners to address the region’s need for higher level skills and develop the technical and professional workforce of tomorrow.”

If you would like further information on apprenticeship programmes at Bridgwater and Taunton College, or about the new National College for Nuclear, contact the College’s Business Development Team on 01278 655111 or email business@bridgwater.ac.uk.