12 Oct 2011
Bradwell power station, a site owned by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, is celebrating after winning a prestigious National Training Award in recognition of its work to train local people in radiological protection.
To date the partnership with specialist contractor Radwise has seen over 40 people qualify as Radiological Protection Technicians, a skill that is in great demand at Bradwell during its accelerated decommissioning programme.
Magnox Ltd was named as the national ‘Winner of the Year’ in the Macro Category at a ceremony in London, where the Bradwell team beat off stiff competition from across the UK including Virgin Trains, BT Group and Rolls Royce. The company was recognised for the exceptional way in which it identified a real business need and the very successful and practical approach to training, and alleviating the national shortage of Radiation Protection Technicians.
Dick Sexton, Bradwell’s Site Director, said: ‘’Good things take time and the recognition that we have now been given for all this will help us to strengthen our commitment and enthusiasm.
“This is a significant accomplishment that was achieved by a small group of dedicated individuals who recognised a real skill shortage, Health Physics technicians and then teamed with our supply chain, our work force and the local community to offer meaningful training and employment to young members of the local community.
“The course is a cost effective way of filling a critical skills shortage. I m very proud of what we have achieved, which has been largely due to the energy enthusiasm of the trainees themselves.”
The award was made by Dragon’s Den favorite Theo Paphitis, Baroness Wilcox, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Business, Innovation and Skills and Geoff Russell, Chief Executive of the Skills Funding Agency.
Through successful completion of the course and the subsequent on the job training programme, trainees become SQEP (Suitably Qualified Experienced Person) to operate as a Level 5 Radiological Protection Monitor.
Mark Lesinski, the NDA’s Executive Director for Delivery, said: “This is a tremendous achievement and contributes towards building much-needed nuclear skills across Magnox as well as the nuclear sector as a whole. This model demonstrates a commitment at the highest level to socio-economic support, radiological protection for the workforce, and environmental stewardship.”
He added that the scheme had been developed and trialed at Hinkley A, (a Magnox site in Somerset), and as well as having a huge success at Bradwell is now moving to other parts of the estate. “Quite frankly it is a critical need I’ve seen for over 30 years and this is the first highly successful solution I’ve seen.”
Now in their 25th year, the National Training Awards (NTAs) recognise and celebrate Investors in People accredited organisations that have delivered outstanding organisational benefits by directly linking the training needs of their people to the business needs of their organisation.
Adam Jones, one of the recruits who have completed the course said: “I am very proud to be part of this entire award. I have worked hard to get where I am and the training has sometimes been quite challenging. My real reward is that I am now much more confident and knowledgeable, I can offer so much more and will continue to progress with my career in Radiological Protection and am so pleased that I have been given this opportunity.”
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