Is the French nuclear industry facing a shortage of talent?

Nuclear power is France’s third largest industrial sector and a major economic sector in France. It brings together no less than 3,000 companies and 220,000 employees. Although it has long been perceived as a sector of excellence, this industry now suffers from a lack of attractiveness, which has been generating a significant lack of qualified professionals for several years.

 

The lack of talent in the nuclear industry: a long-standing observation

On February 10, 2022, Emmanuel Macron unveiled his plan to revive civil nuclear power with the construction of a new fleet of six EPR reactors. The Head of State announced that construction would begin in 2023 and that it would be commissioned by 2035.

The GIFEN (French Nuclear Energy Industrialists’ Group) estimated that 30,000 recruitments were needed to carry out this project, including 20,000 recruitments for construction sites and 10,000 recruitments for operation and maintenance.

As part of this large-scale project, EDF will open 3,000 jobs in 2022.

However, there is still doubt about the ability to achieve this goal given the lack of know-how in this industry.

Indeed, the nuclear sector has been suffering from a growing decline in the number of qualified professionals for nearly 10 years. According to Public Sénat, 70% of the needs for welders, pipefitters and boilermakers are not covered in France.

In 2020, the need for skills in the nuclear sector was estimated at 8,000 jobs per year, according to the SFEN (French Nuclear Energy Society).

Among the professions in short supply in the nuclear industry: engineers, industrial electricians, boilermakers, welders, valve makers, technicians, automation engineers, instrumentalists, mechanics on rotating machines, civil engineering experts, researchers, etc.

 

How can we explain the shortage of talent in the nuclear industry?

There are several reasons for the lack of talent in the nuclear sector. Indeed, if recruitment in this sector was on the rise about ten years ago, nuclear power is now facing A lack of attractiveness to young people. The sector has therefore had difficulty replacing the many professionals who have retired.

In addition, in terms of recruitment, nuclear power is in strong competition with other sectors of activity that appeal more to candidates. This is particularly the case for aeronautics, new technologies and the automotive industry.

 

Solutions to address the lack of know-how in the nuclear sector

Faced with this lack of talent, many nuclear players, supported by the government, have set up large-scale actions to generate more jobs in the sector. Companies are investing in the training of young people and are developing numerous programmes to help them retrain for nuclear professions.

In 2021, a University of Nuclear Trades was created in order to boost and promote the sector’s training offers, as part of the Excell plan led by EDF and other manufacturers.