futures
futures FEBRUARY 2009
12 HIGHER & FURTHER EDUCATION
Q&A: Nigel Couzens, head of skills and capability, NDA
Graduates
enjoying
Round 2
I
N 2008 the Nuclear Decommissioning
Authority began recruiting for its
`nucleargraduate' scheme, a landmark
programme based around four six-month
secondments.
It was a successful year. In April the first
12 graduates arrived (one of them � Alex
Stewart from Workington � became a
regular in Futures, writing about his
secondment at the NDA's HQ at Herdus
House on Westlakes Science and
Technology Park, where he worked as an
environmental health safety and quality
officer).
Like the others, Alex finished this
secondment in November and had to put
his life on hold during an intensive
development zone, where he and the
others all gained professional
accreditations in project management.
Now Alex and his colleagues are settling
into new jobs in new locations and with
new companies.
Alex has left Cumbria to do a six-month
secondment at a manufacturer of nuclear
fuels, Springfields Limited, in Lancaster.
"It's different to working close to home
but I'm still settling in," he said. "It looks
like it will be good placement. I'll still be
working in environment health safety &
quality but my job is different to the role I
had at the NDA. This time I'll get to spend
more time on site.
"At the moment I'm working on an
environment submission for an award. I'm
doing a lot of work on site, looking for the
best examples of environment protection
or techniques.
"In a few weeks I imagine I'll have to act
as an environmental monitor and test
radiation levels. It will be more hands-on
and I'm looking forward to it."
The latest 12 graduates began work in
October after making it through the tough
selection process, and bring an assortment
of different backgrounds and degrees,
ranging from aeronautical engineering to
English literature. They have all shown they
have what it takes to make it through the
scheme.
None of the latest graduates originate
from West Cumbria but have come from all
across the UK to work here, proving that
the career opportunities available in
Cumbria and the nuclear industry are
exciting and good enough to make people
relocate here.
"It was hard to leave home," said Mikey
Kelk, the new communications and
marketing graduate. "But Cumbria is
turning out to be a good choice. There's
great scenery when the weather's good
enough and my money goes a lot further
than it ever would in London.
"I wouldn't find any work of this quality
at home. I'm in the capital of the UK's
nuclear industry and I might just stay."
Mikey and his colleagues have had an
interesting time adapting over the winter.
The frozen roads, lack of mobile phone
signals and Cumbrian nightlife have all
been challenging, but they are all warming
up to living here.
The start of 2009 marked the mid-way
point for their first secondment and a
useful point for Mikey to reflect on what's
he's been up to. He said: "Cumbria is
different. I'm not used to the wet weather
yet but it has certainly been a busy couple
of months.
"It feels like an exciting time for the area
and there have been some big PR events up
here. I've had my hands full in helping with
the skills strategy launch and the arrival of
Nuclear Management Partners at Sellafield.
I can't see 2009 getting any quieter."
Hopefully he won't be short of anything
to say. One of his first jobs of 2009 will be
to write a regular Futures column
describing an outsider's view on what it's
like living and working in West Cumbria.
And Alex Stewart will soon be putting
pen to paper again to provide us with an
update about what it's like out of West
Cumbria.
Visit www.nucleargraduates.com for
news and updates on the scheme.
N
IGEL Couzens is the head of skills and
capability at the NDA. He joined in
January 2006 and since then has led
the development of the NDA's Skills and
Capability Strategy, working closely with
the likes of Sellafield Ltd and LLWR Ltd,
and a wide range of community, industry
and training partners.
A keen advocate of workplace skills and
qualifications, since moving to West
Cumbria Nigel has gained a post-graduate
diploma in management but he began his
career with the Royal Navy, joining straight
from school and completing a commission
as an officer in the submarine service.
It was during this time on a visit to
Workington in the submarine HMS Osiris
that he met his wife.
On completion of his time in the Navy, he
got a job at Sellafield and moved here in
1991. The family have remained in the area
and their two sons are in education locally.
Before joining the NDA, Nigel worked as
a senior manager for the Learning and
Skills Council, working with employers,
colleges and training providers to shape
and deliver skills and training programmes.
He has also worked in the private training
sector.
Nigel is a director of the National Skills
Academy for Nuclear, based in
Cockermouth, and represents UK interests
in the skills and resources work of the
Global Nuclear Energy Partnership.
He takes part in many local regeneration
initiatives and is well known in the area as
a keen supporter of developing
opportunities for individuals and employers
to gain skills and qualifications to improve
themselves and business opportunities.
WHAT DOES YOUR JOB
ENTAIL?
To ensure that the skills are available to
meet the decommissioning mission and
continued operation of sites like Sellafield
that are owned by the NDA. This means
implementing the NDA Skills and Capability
Strategy, including being responsible for
major programmes and projects such as
"nucleargraduates", Energus, Scottish
Engineering Skills Centre and the University
of Cumbria/Energy Coast Campus.
HOW WILL THE NDA SKILLS
STRATEGY BENEFIT WEST
CUMBRIA?
The majority of our skills investment here is
directly linked to the Energy Coast
initiative, and we are extremely active in
ensuring West Cumbria is recognised as an
international centre of excellence in
nuclear-related skills. This will have a wide
range of benefits for the local economy.
WHAT'S YOUR INVOLVEMENT
IN BRITAIN'S ENERGY COAST?
Within the overall vision the NDA is the
lead for lead for skills investments. In
particular that covers projects like Energus,
the links with the University of Cumbria
and the broader Energy Coast Campus, the
Dalton Cumbria Research facility and the
development of workplace education and
training programmes.
WHY ARE YOU SUPPORTING
FUTURES?
Futures gives a comprehensive view of the
opportunities in the area and keeps me up
to date with what many of the projects I
work closely with are doing. It has a wide
range of readers and is an important
publication if you are looking to develop
your career in West Cumbria � even my kids
read it!
WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR
WEST CUMBRIA?
An economically regenerated area with
leading edge industries and a recognised
world-class education and skills
infrastructure. A great place to live and
work with opportunities for those in work,
beginning their career or re-entering the
workplace to get excellent skills, training
and qualifications.
WHAT IS YOUR MESSAGE TO
LEARNERS AND TRAINEES?
Always think about how best to apply what
you have learnt: how can I use my skills
now, in the future as an opportunity to
enjoy my work and progress my career �
what next!
WHAT WILL PEOPLE HEAR
ABOUT IN YOUR COLUMN?
Naturally I'll keep readers updated with
what the NDA is doing in relation to skills
and I'll share my views on what is available
to support individuals and employers in
developing their skills.
I have been able to travel a lot in my
career and will share what I have seen in
my travels locally, nationally and
internationally as well as my own
experiences of training and education.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST
ABOUT LIVING HERE?
Quite simply the people and the area: I
have access to the most beautiful part of
the UK and it's a wonderful area to come
home to.
THE NEW INTAKE: The new cohort of Nuclear Graduates at the NDA � from left, Simon Bobbitt, Becky Read, Mikey Kelk, Hannah Hay, Michael
Shapiro, Fleur Geoghegan and Matt Dodds Picture: John Story
NIGEL COUZENS: Investment in skills

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