Record-breaking numbers take GQA’s Nuclear Qualification Exam
GQA reports a significant increase in demand for its Level 2 Award for Nuclear Industry Awareness qualification. In previous years each examination for this qualification has attracted around 40 learners. In 2024 learner numbers have grown considerably with over 160 taking the February exam, 290 taking the May exam, and around 120 expected to sit it in September.
Mark Simpson, GQA鈥檚 Compliance Officer comments:
鈥淭he increase in demand for this qualification is being driven by a resurgence in opportunities in the nuclear industry. We are hearing of the decommissioning of previous nuclear sites to make way for new technologies. The resources to complete these projects are apparently limited, and I am being told of targets to fill an estimated 40,000 new jobs by 2030. This necessitates considerable effort to develop a suitably qualified and trained workforce. It seems there is both the need to address the skills shortage the industry faces and upskill people coming into it.
鈥淒espite this uplift in demand I鈥檓 very happy to report that we鈥檙e continuing to meet industry requirements, and issuing exam results within eight weeks of them being taken. Our centres who offer this exam are working with nuclear power plants all around the UK, and it鈥檚 gratifying to be part of this thriving industry.鈥�
Zoe Whittington, Head of Business Development at NSAN (National Skills Academy Nuclear) adds:
鈥淭he nuclear sector has always placed high value in properly training its workforce, and formal qualifications provide an excellent way to prove achievement of learning. With a renaissance occurring in the nuclear industry, we鈥檙e seeing a growth in the number of new recruits to organisations across the UK. Representing the industry, we鈥檝e worked closely with GQA to ensure that its qualification delivers employers鈥� needs, and plays a key role in bringing new people into this complex and highly regulated industry.鈥�
The Level 2 Award for Nuclear Industry Awareness qualification comprises three units, all of which must be passed. Unit 1 covers nuclear industry history, site licence, security, behavioural expectations and stakeholders. Unit 2 covers the fundamentals of nuclear physics, nuclear industry radiation hazards and detection, safety culture, emergency procedures and control of contamination. Unit 3 covers nuclear industry electricity generation, defence, fuel cycle, waste management, environment, decommissioning and emergency procedures.
GQA offers several other qualifications specifically for the nuclear industry. These include a Level 2 Certificate in Health Physics Monitoring, a Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Nuclear Decommissioning, a Level 2 and Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Radiation Protection, a Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Nuclear Decommissioning 鈥� Supervisory, and an SVQ in Quality Operations in the Science Industries at SCQF Level 6. For more information head to /qualification-category/nuclear/
