Rolls-Royce to create hundreds of apprenticeships at new nuclear skills academy

Rolls-Royce’s submarine division is set to launch a new skills academy dedicated to nuclear training – and says it will create 200 new apprenticeships every year for at least the next ten years.

The Nuclear Skills Academy, which will be based in Derby, will be supported by the Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, the National College for Nuclear, the University of Derby and Derby City Council.

The new apprenticeships will be spread across four courses covering different aspects of nuclear engineering.

Rolls-Royce has provided the power for all of the Royal Navy’s nuclear submarines from its base in Raynesway, Derby for the past 60 years.

Steve Carlier, president – submarines at Rolls-Royce, said: “We are proud of our unique nuclear capability and we are fortunate enough to have some of the smartest minds on the planet working for us. But we must maintain this capability if we want to continue to innovate and evolve.

“Being born and bred in Derby, I am immensely proud that we are playing our part in further boosting the area’s reputation for engineering excellence.

“The UK is embarking on a nuclear renaissance and we are determined to make the East Midlands the home of nuclear expertise for decades to come.”

Rolls-Royce submarines engineering & technology director Lee Warren added: “All four courses offer debt-free, higher education qualifications while earning a wage within an exciting and growing business that supports the UK’s net carbon ambitions. If you know someone who is finishing school or college, rethinking university debt, or even already in work and looking for a change of career, our apprenticeships are a fantastic opportunity.”