University of Nuclear Professions: A Response to the Workforce Shortage

The University of Nuclear Trades (UMN) is a project deployed by several major players in the nuclear industry. The objective is to promote the development and development of skills in the nuclear industry. This initiative is also a major response to the labour shortage that the nuclear sector has been facing for many years.

 

How did the University of Nuclear Professions come about?

The University of Nuclear Professions is an initiative led by several players in the French nuclear industry :

• the UIMM (Union of Metallurgical Industries and Trades);
• UFE (French Union of Electricity);
• the CSFN (Strategic Committee for the Nuclear Industry);
• the CEA (Atomic Energy Commission);
• the electricity production group EDF ;
• Orano;
• Andra;
• GIFEN (French Nuclear Energy Manufacturers’ Group);
• Nuclear Valley;
• Framatome;
• France Industrie;
• Pôle Emploi.

This project was born from the desire to boost nuclear programs, at the regional, interregional and national levels, and to offer a response to recruitment needs in certain professions essential to the sustainability of the sector.

The creation of the UMN also follows EDF’s announcement and the implementation of the Excell Plan, which aims in particular to strengthen the level of rigour, quality and excellence in the nuclear sector, in particular through the deployment of skills.

The project to create the nuclear UMN was announced in 2019, and was then created on April 27, 2021, in the form of an association under the law of 1901.

 

The objectives of the University of Nuclear Professions

The creation of the University of Nuclear Trades is accompanied by a number of actions aimed at attracting more young people to this industrial sector, such as:

• The creation of the web portal My Future in Nuclear Power, which presents the professions, training and opportunities in the nuclear industry, intended for all types of profiles, to strengthen the attractiveness of the sector.
  
• The establishment of scholarships for students in initial training (Bac Pro, BTS, CAP), in order to strengthen the attractiveness of professions in tension in the nuclear industry (industrial electrician, pipefitter, welder, boilermaker, rotating machine mechanic, etc.) to young people throughout France. About fifty scholarships, each amounting to 600 euros per month, will be issued. The beneficiary students will be selected on merit and motivation.
• Support for local projects, through regional campuses designed to strengthen the training offer for nuclear professions.
• Support for the creation of new training places or courses and the implementation of innovative teaching methods on sensitive professions such as machining or welding.

 

How is the University of Nuclear Professions a response to the shortage of talent in the nuclear industry?

For almost 10 years, the nuclear sector has been suffering from a lack of attractiveness that has caused, on many occasions, a real shortage of talent.

Today, it is estimated that only 30% of labour needs are covered in professions in short supply (welders, pipefitters, boilermakers, engineering, etc.). According to the SFEN (French Nuclear Energy Society), 8,000 annual jobs would be needed to cover all the needs of the sector. However, young candidates seem to be less and less attracted by nuclear power, and seem to be turning instead to industrial sectors such as aeronautics, automotive, renewable energies, etc.

The creation of the University of Nuclear Professions aims to provide a response to this lack of attractiveness of nuclear power in the professional world and to encourage students, young graduates, but also professionals to take an interest in these professions.

To find out more about the subject, see EDF’s press release on the University of Nuclear Professions.

 

How to train for nuclear professions?

Many training courses exist in the nuclear industry: engineering schools, professional baccalaureates, BTS, universities, etc.

Here are some examples of organizations offering training in the nuclear industry in France:

• The INSTN (National Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology)
• The Institut Polytechnique de Paris (Master 1 with a specialization in Nuclear Engineering).
• The ISTP (Nuclear Engineering curriculum)
• The School of Nuclear Energy Management (IAEA)
• For training in the nuclear industry in Lyon, the University of Lyon 1 also offers dedicated courses.
• The Grenoble Polytechnic Institute
• …

In addition to academic training, specific training is required to work on a nuclear site in order to learn about nuclear safety, nuclear waste management, radiation protection, etc.

For example, discover EDF’s nuclear accreditations and training.

To find out more about the nuclear professions and the associated training, it is possible to consult the UMN website, which already brings together about twenty nuclear professions and training courses.