Blog Post

Nuclear power has been a vital component of the global energy mix for many decades, providing reliable and consistent baseload power. Despite the negative public perception of nuclear power, projections suggest that nuclear power generation is set to increase over the next 20 years, with new reactors being built in several countries. As the demand for nuclear power increases, there will be a growing need for a skilled and qualified workforce to support the construction and operation of these plants.

According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), global nuclear power generation is projected to increase up to 82% by 2050, from a baseline of 2,553 TWh in 2018. This growth is driven by the need to meet increasing energy demand in developing countries, as well as the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to meet climate change targets.

Several countries, including China, India, Russia, and the United Arab Emirates, have already embarked on ambitious nuclear power programs. China, for example, plans to increase its nuclear power capacity from 50 GW in 2020 to 150 GW by 2030. India, meanwhile, is targeting a total nuclear power capacity of 22.5 GW by 2031.

As new reactors are built and existing reactors are upgraded or replaced, there will be a growing need for a skilled workforce to support the construction, operation, and maintenance of these plants. This includes engineers, project managers, construction workers, and operators, as well as support staff such as security personnel and administrative staff.

In addition, there will be a need for ongoing training and education to ensure that the workforce remains up to date with the latest technological advances and safety protocols. This will require partnerships between governments, academic institutions, and industry, to provide high-quality education and training opportunities.

One of the key challenges facing the nuclear industry is the aging workforce. Many workers in the nuclear industry are nearing retirement age, and there is a growing need to attract and train the next generation of workers. To address this challenge, some countries, such as the United States, are investing in apprenticeship programs and other initiatives to attract young people to the industry.

Another challenge is the need to ensure a diverse and inclusive workforce. Women and other groups are currently underrepresented in the nuclear industry, and there is a growing recognition of the need to address this imbalance. This includes efforts to attract and retain women and underrepresented groups.

Overall, the projected increase in nuclear power generation over the next 20 years presents both opportunities and challenges for the nuclear industry. While the demand for nuclear power is set to grow, there will be a need for a skilled and qualified workforce to support the construction and operation of new plants. This will require ongoing education and training, as well as efforts to attract and retain a diverse and inclusive workforce. As the industry continues to evolve, there will be exciting opportunities for those who are interested in pursuing a career in nuclear power.

Accelerant Solutions is attempting to get ahead of this need by creating the Nuclear Excellence Academy (NEXA), an initiative being driven by Accelerant Solutions, Tecnatom, S.A., and Westinghouse Electric Company.  Head over to www.mynexa.com to read more.