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Doosan Power Systems’ continued investment in the development of critical engineering skills to support the UK’s nuclear programme has once again received industry recognition, this time at the prestigious UK Nuclear Skills Awards, held in Manchester last week, where four of the company’s employees scooped accolades.

Photo (from left): Jim McLaughlin of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, Samantha Thompson and Reg Rudd of Doosan Power Systems and presenter Ben Fogle.

Organised by the National Skills Academy, the UK Nuclear Skills Awards Dinner is the largest UK event for recognising skills excellence in the nuclear industry, from apprentices and FD/HND students to graduates and beyond. Overcoming stiff competition to claim victory at this year’s event were Doosan Power Systems former apprentices: Samantha Thompson, Foundation Degree / HND Student of the Year – Winner; Eifion Edwards, winner of the Southwest Nuclear Apprentice of the year category; and Josh Groves, Northeast Nuclear Apprentice of the year. Liam Barwood was named runner up in the Southeast/East Nuclear Apprentice of the year category.

David Whitehouse, Development Manager at Doosan Power Systems, said: “Working with the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB), Doosan Power Systems has a long history of providing apprenticeships for the engineering construction industry, and the successes we have witnessed at this year’s Nuclear Skills Awards are testament to the quality of training we provide. I would like to congratulate Samantha, Liam, Josh and Eifion on their awards, which provide fitting recognition of the commitment and enthusiasm they have demonstrated over the course of their apprenticeship and beyond.”

Doosan Power Systems has committed sustained investment in people, facilities and tooling to support the development of the UK’s nuclear industry for more than half a century, dating back to 1947 when it provided key components for the world’s first commercial nuclear power plant. Today, the company provides essential skills training for 250 engineering construction personnel every year and boasts the largest directly employed workforce of Suitably Qualified and Experienced Personnel (SQEP) in the civil UK nuclear industry.

Pioneering industry collaboration

Doosan Power Systems’ relationship with the Engineering ECITB continues to provide vital support to the development of skills for the UK nuclear sector. Earlier this month, a proposal developed by the company on behalf of the ECITB resulted in a new £8 million funding boost for employers in the sector - £4 million from the ECITB and a further £4 million from the government. The Pathway to Sustainable Excellence fund will see 790 people in the engineering construction sector benefit from essential skills training over the coming 18 months.

Nuclear pedigree

Since 1947, Doosan Power Systems and its skilled engineers have delivered many of the mechanical components for the UK’s fleet of advanced gas cooled reactors and provided many of the key components for the UK’s first pressurised water reactor, executing over 500 man years of work out of its facility in Renfrew, Scotland. Today, the company’s nuclear expertise is supporting numerous complex projects in the UK, ranging from nuclear waste reprocessing and storage facilities to plant improvement and safety enhancements.

To position Doosan Power Systems for future growth opportunities and to maintain the leading nuclear operational capabilities it has built up over the past 65 years, the company this month announced the creation of two nuclear business streams. The Nuclear Service division will focus on providing operational support to the UK fleet, while the Major Projects division will be responsible for managing existing large-scale projects and for identifying major new opportunities in support of the UK’s nuclear programme.

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