Project overview

In 2024, on behalf of Midlands Nuclear, the Midlands Net Zero Hub commissioned a study to explore the current and future nuclear-aligned skills base in the region. This was alongside another study on the potential for nuclear energy siting across the Midlands.

This study supports Midlands Nuclear’s ambition to better understand the region’s workforce capabilities both now and in the future. This work also aligns with the UK Government’s Clean Power 2030 Action Plan, which sets out a pathway to a fully clean power system by 2030, aiming to secure energy supply, drive regional investment, and tackle climate change.

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of nuclear-relevant skills in the Midlands, including a review of current educational and training provision; and recommendations for future skills development to meet the needs of a growing nuclear sector.

Nuclear capability study summary

This study examined the region’s current and future workforce capabilities in relation to its growing role in the UK’s nuclear sector. The study investigated how well‑positioned the Midlands is to support nuclear expansion driven by small modular reactors (SMRs), fusion, advanced modular reactors (AMRs), and potential siting opportunities. It explored the scale of the workforce challenge, regional strengths, structural skills gaps, and the strategic interventions needed to build a sustainable talent pipeline for the next generation of nuclear technologies. In particular, it looked at:

• Regional nuclear context and growth drivers: Assessment of the Midlands’ historic and current role in the nuclear ecosystem, including Rolls‑Royce SMR development, the STEP Fusion programme, and emerging AMR and geological disposal facility opportunities.
• Workforce size, demand, and future projections: Analysis of the existing 8,600‑strong workforce, the need to recruit 8,800 additional workers by 2030, demographic risks, sector attrition, and unfilled roles across SMEs and major employers.
• Critical skills and capability gaps: Identification of shortages in digital, cyber, data, process engineering, scientific research, project controls, and specialist construction trades such as pipe‑fitters and steel erectors.
• Stakeholder perspectives: Exploration of apprenticeship decline, misaligned education pathways, regulatory/documentation burdens, recruitment difficulties, retention issues, and weak collaboration across the supply chain.
• Regional labour‑market analysis: Mapping of 46 nuclear‑relevant occupations, comparative advantages in mechanical engineering and welding, and disadvantages in digital systems and scientific roles.
• Sector risks and opportunities: Evaluation of competing industries, potential for skills transfer from declining sectors, and strategic opportunities arising from regional manufacturing strengths.

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