13
FEBRUARY 2009 futures
futures HIGHER & FURTHER EDUCATION
Q&A: Andrew King, CEO,
the Nuclear Academy
A
NDREW King was born in
Morecambe. Educated at Plymouth,
UCL and the Cranfield School of
Management, he has an MSc in naval
architecture, a diploma in marketing and a
Masters in Business Administration.
He obtained Chartered Engineer status in
1987 and is a Fellow of the Royal Institution
of Naval Architects.
Employed with John Brown Engineers,
Brown & Root and Shiptech Limited, he
successfully completed the design and
construction of oil pollution-control craft in
Kuwait, developed inshore fishing boats
and oversaw the sub-sea design of the first
North Sea tension leg platform.
Awarded an MBA in 1989, he consciously
moved into general management in the
marine engineering industry, joining Vosper
Thornycroft plc.
After a period in corporate strategy and
acquisitions, Andrew quickly progressed
into operations and marketing, developing
a track record in the turnaround,
acquisition and new business start-ups.
Transferring to Flagship Training in 1997,
he was initially responsible for both the
winning and implementation of the
path-finding partnering initiative with the
Royal Navy in HMS Sultan and HMS
Dolphin.
Promoted to assistant operations director
in September 2000, his responsibilities were
enhanced to encompass HMS Collingwood
where he undertook business planning,
day-to-day facilities management,
marketing the establishment's diverse
product portfolio, identification and
development of PFI opportunities
initiatives, and pan-establishment service
provision development.
Moving into a headquarters role in 2002
as training director saw Andrew charged
with the delivery of all Flagship's
international and UK training projects,
including responsibility for all Flagship
training personnel located in the Royal
Navy training establishments.
Andrew became the sales and projects
director in February 2006 with
responsibility for the marketing, sales and
delivery of the company's training
capabilities to third parties.
His responsibilities encompassed all
Flagship training PFI activities, bids and
development of the company's training
technology and education capability.
In July 2007 Andrew was appointed CEO
of The Nuclear Academy, currently under
construction at Lillyhall. The Academy will
be a state-of-the-art centre of excellence
delivery facility for nuclear engineering and
associated technologies. It will deliver
vocational training including foundation
degrees and apprenticeships to meet
changing employer needs and business
support to employers to help in meeting
the changes of the nuclear industry as it
transforms into a competitive commercial
industry.
Andrew lives in St Bees with his wife Jane
and their three children Thomas, Amelia
and Edward. He is a keen football and
rugby league supporter, enjoying sailing
and outdoor activities with the family, and
running his classic car.
WHAT DOES YOUR JOB
ENTAIL?
My job is all about change and involves
bringing the Energus vision to life. Energus
is all about becoming the first choice for
employers to train their workers to meet
the requirements of the UK nuclear and
energy-related industries. Right now we are
focused on completing the Energus
building and kitting it out to world-class
standards.
HOW WILL ENERGUS BENEFIT
WEST CUMBRIA?
The facility at Lillyhall will be a one-stop
shop for West Cumbrian companies in the
nuclear, environmental and new energy
business sectors. Under one roof, we will
deliver training and education alongside
business support activity, supported by a
high-quality conference centre. It will cover
all levels of technical training from
engagement with schools through to
apprenticeships, foundation degrees and
undergraduate courses � a truly unique
asset for this area.
WHAT IS YOUR INVOLVEMENT
IN BRITAIN'S ENERGY COAST?
ENERGUS is a beacon project in the
development of West Cumbria as Britain's
Energy Coast. The development of a skilled
workforce matched to the needs of
business in the short, medium and long
term is pivotal to the creation of that
world-class expertise.
WHY ARE YOU SUPPORTING
FUTURES?
West Cumbria needs to know what Energus
is all about. Our iconic building in Lillyhall
will be completed this spring and the first
students enrol this summer. Working with
the National Skills Academy for Nuclear, we
can ensure the training we deliver is up with
the best in the world and will attract global
business to West Cumbria. Futures gives us a
wonderful platform to let employers and
students know what opportunities and
services we have on offer.
WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR
WEST CUMBRIA?
My vision is for West Cumbria to become
the UKs `Silicon Valley' for carbon-free new
energy technologies with a world-class
workforce which is highly skilled and
innovative. We need to harness the
undoubted intellectual capital of our
regional companies and encourage
entrepreneurial behaviour and the growth
of small to medium enterprises. A thriving,
bustling economy will be good for West
Cumbria, good for us and good for the
nuclear industry.
WHAT IS YOUR MESSAGE TO
LEARNERS AND TRAINEES?
Be ready to grasp the opportunities that
Energus will make available to West
Cumbria. Learn, think in new ways and
change the way things have been done in
the past.
WHAT CAN PEOPLE EXPECT
TO HEAR ABOUT IN YOUR
COLUMN?
We will bring Energus to life and in each
issue focus on a different area of our
business. I'll add my personal thoughts about
the environment in which I live and keep an
eye out for all those opportunities that
hopefully West Cumbria can benefit from.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST
ABOUT WORKING HERE?
Make no bones about it, West Cumbria is a
great place to live and work. I love the fact
that there are real communities here, and
the quality of life for families can be so
amazing. It goes without saying that the
scenery is fabulous and having lived in the
south for so long, I really like the lack of
traffic. People have time for each other
and, most of all, the real ale and good pub
food are first class. It's just a pity that I'm
too far away to watch my beloved
Portsmouth on a regular basis!
ANDREW KING: Chief executive of Energus
DEGREES OF SUCCESS
T
HE need for a specific Foundation
degree in nuclear technology at
Sellafield came about as the site
realised it was losing `on-site'
technical support skills.
This was particularly evident in the
areas of specialist technical skills and
design and project management.
The solution was to design a
foundation degree that met those needs
head-on and a course that gives a mix
of off-the-job academic education and
on-the-job skills development. This has
proved to be an effective method of
providing a tailored, flexible and
relevant qualification that supports
both the business and enhances the
careers of employees who take part.
One such person is Laura Gribbin
from Whitehaven, who has successfully
completed a two-year programme and
is a strong advocate of the scheme.
"I've been able to apply what I've
learnt immediately to my workplace
and hope that in the future these new
skills will help me progress my
career," she said.
In developing the course, Sellafield
Ltd worked with the NDA, the
University of Central Lancashire and
Lakes College, where much of the
learning is delivered.
The development and launch of the
programme was completed in an
impressively short period of time.
Site discussions took place to gain a
full understanding of the needs of the
business and a selection process for
candidates developed so that the first
recruitment took place only 15 weeks
after the concept was first agreed.
Trainees start on a 16-week bridging
course to get them back into learning,
and on completion of the programme
they will gain not only a foundation
degree in nuclear-related technology
but also a BTEC National Award in
applied science.
And as Laura suggests, it is hoped
they will act as a solid platform for
further learning and career
development.
LAURA GRIBBIN: `I've been able to apply what I've learnt immediately to my workplace'

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