Rolls-Royce Submarines is setting up an academy to train the next generation of nuclear engineers.
The engineering business, which powers the UK’s underwater defence, said the dedicated Nuclear Skills Academy in Derby will launch along with 200 new nuclear apprenticeships in September 2022.
Rolls-Royce Submarines has also committed to creating the same number of new apprenticeships every year for at least the next decade as part of its drive to boost the country’s nuclear capabilities.
It comes after BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce were awarded contracts worth more than £2 billion for the first phase of work on four new Dreadnought submarines, replacing the Royal Navy's existing Vangaurd vessels.
Rolls-Royce Submarines has been providing and managing nuclear propulsion plants for the UK’s nuclear sub fleet for 60 years.
That includes frontline support across the world from its operations centre in Derby and in the Barrow-in-Furness shipyard and the naval bases at Devonport and Faslane.
The engineering giant says just a spoonful of uranium is enough to power a fully-submerged submarine on a full circumnavigation of the world.
The only restriction on how long nuclear subs can stay under is how much food they have on board.
Combined it means they can provide a sustained global deterrent unsupported, while remaining undetected.
Rolls-Royce Submarines currently employs more than 1,500 engineers designing, building and maintaining the fleet, based out of Raynesway, Derby.
The Nuclear Skills Academy is backed by the Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre – currently building a new £15 million research facility in Derby – the National College for Nuclear, the University of Derby and Derby City Council.
They will help ensure apprentices have access to the best courses and mentors.
Steve Carlier, president of 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.”
Apprenticeships will be spread across four courses – Nuclear Engineering Degree Apprenticeship, Business Degree Apprenticeship, Nuclear Engineering Technician Apprenticeship and Advanced Engineering Apprenticeship.
Lee Warren, Rolls-Royce Submarines engineering and technology director, said: “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.”
“Our new academy will not only maintain and develop our nuclear capability for years to come, but it will also provide invaluable STEM qualifications for hundreds of individuals at the very start of their careers.
“Generations of submariners have put their faith in our nuclear expertise and our new academy will mean we can keep providing them with cutting edge technology to keep them, and the UK, safe.”
For more information about Rolls-Royce Submarines visit https://www.rolls-royce.com/products-and-services/defence/submarines.aspx
