SOLVING THE RECRUITMENT CHALLENGE | SUPPLY CHAIN
and staying power for nuclear
Building skills
With the industry in an upswing, the challenge of recruiting skilled workers could prove to be a stumbling block for global nuclear ambitions. Ashley Samuelson tells NEI that addressing three key factors could solve the nuclear skills shortage crisis
IT’S PERHAPS NO SURPRISE TO the industry, but the nuclear workforce is now the most sought-after in the energy business. Worryingly, intense competition from other sectors, such as oil and gas, could see critical nuclear skills lost to energy rivals. These are key conclusions emerging from Airswift’s latest annual Global Energy Talent Index (GETI).
The 2023 report notes that the nuclear workforce is
heavily in demand across the industry with 83% of nuclear workers headhunted in the last year, and close to a fifth receiving 11 or more approaches, the highest of any energy sector. Indeed, nuclear workers are twice as likely as their oil and gas and petrochemicals peers to be approached for jobs by companies from an outside industry. Around three quarters of nuclear industry respondents to the survey have said they would even consider leaving their sector altogether.
These findings emerge as countries around the globe are
expanding their nuclear ambitions. Nuclear has always been a strong and steady sector and many existing employees see the clean energy transition as something positive, with 42% of those surveyed citing it as a major opportunity
within the field. However, while a large number of jobs are set to open across the globe to accommodate growth in the nuclear sector, Airswift says that the challenge associated with the severe lack of talent cannot be understated. This kind of supply chain constraint is likely to be enhanced by factors like the recent fossil fuel price boom causing an exodus of nuclear workers, they add. The company identifies a series of strategies that may be
adopted to secure workplace talent though. “Three key factors in solving the skills shortage crisis for the nuclear sector will be focusing on upskilling existing talent, sourcing people from a variety of other sectors, and global mobility,” says Ashley Samuelson, Vice President at Airswift.
Building skills One issue is the loss of skills as experienced operators and engineers leave the nuclear market. “We’re hearing our clients frequently speak about how they need to capture that knowledge and make sure it’s transferred to the younger workforce,” says Samuelson. She argues that company or site initiatives should be put in place to U
Above: Retaining the skills of experienced staff is challenging for the nuclear business
www.neimagazine.com | March 2023 | 19
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