popular articles

France: 100,000 people to be found and trained to support nuclear power

The French nuclear industry must recruit and train 100,000 people over the next ten years to support the revival of the atom. The most sought-after trades will be boiler making (+140%) and civil engineering (+220%).

Please share:

The nuclear industry is looking for engineers, boilermakers and welders: the sector has 100,000 people to find and train over the next decade to support the revival of the nuclear industry in France, according to a memorandum submitted to the government on Friday. With at least six EPRs to be built and power plants to be extended, the nuclear industry, which supplied more than 60% of France’s electricity in 2022, is facing huge challenges, both industrial and human.

Announced in February 2022 by Emmanuel Macron after years of procrastination, the relaunch of nuclear power in France is shaping up to be “one of the most important industrial programs for our country since the 1990s,” says Gifen, which brings together the sector’s industrialists, in its report called “Match.” It will therefore be necessary to recruit and train on a massive scale, while the industry is short of manpower and France has not built any reactors since 2002, leaving the sector fallow for years.

The study is to be presented Friday to the Minister of Energy Transition Agnès Pannier-Runacher and her Industry counterpart Roland Lescure, at Tricastin, one of the strongholds of the French nuclear industry, which includes a uranium enrichment site for France and Europe operated by Orano (formerly Areva).

The first observation is that the industry expects to see the volume of work required grow by 25% over the next 10 years, in some 20 operational activity segments. This scope covers in particular the maintenance of the existing nuclear fleet and the construction of the first six EPRs, uranium and waste management activities, the dismantling of old reactors, as well as France’s share of the construction of EDF’s EPRs in Great Britain and India.

In order to carry out these projects, the report confirms a figure already mentioned in recent months: “the foreseeable need” is around 100,000 recruitments over 10 years, for the entire sector which counts 220,000 jobs, including the “core” jobs of operators and their first suppliers, but also second-tier suppliers and support functions (HR, management, sales).

On the front line

In detail, the industry will have to rely on “60,000 full-time equivalent recruitments” in its core businesses, of which “half to meet the renewal of retirements or to other economic sectors,” says the report, which is based on feedback from a hundred companies.

“The bulk of the effort on this growth of employment” will focus in particular on suppliers, and this while “they do not always benefit from the same attractiveness as the large groups”, stressed Olivier Bard, general delegate of Gifen during a presentation to some journalists. “It will be necessary to recruit 2,5 times more than people who leave over the ten years for the suppliers”, he estimated. A total of 20 operational activity segments characteristic of the sector were studied (engineering, civil engineering, testing and control, boiler making-piping-welding, etc.), and their 84 key trades were evaluated to identify needs over 10 years.

The most sought-after jobs? Boilermaking, where recruitment will increase by 140% over 10 years, and even more so in civil engineering (+220%). “We will recruit at all levels, from the pro baccalaureate to engineers,” stressed the Ministry of Energy Transition.

In order to specify these needs, the University of Nuclear Professions will submit its detailed action plan for training and skills to the ministers in early June.

After an initial ramp-up in 2023-2026, an “acceleration” in 2027-2030 “linked in part to the start of construction of new reactors, including the EPR2 in France”, six in number, the activity should reach a plateau in “2031-2033”. However, the needs may be re-evaluated insofar as the forecasts transmitted by the operators “do not yet include certain additional growth factors”, such as the construction of 8 other EPR2 reactors, which are still optional, and the development of new small SMR/AMR type reactors.

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Publicite

Recently published in

NANO Nuclear strengthens its board with former U.S. Department of Energy official

NANO Nuclear Energy has appointed Intel executive and former U.S. Department of Energy leader Seth Berl as an independent director to support its strategy in advanced nuclear technologies.
The Cour des comptes is calling on the French government to speed up efforts to locate storage sites for over 280,000 m³ of long-lived radioactive waste, which currently lacks an operational solution.
The Cour des comptes is calling on the French government to speed up efforts to locate storage sites for over 280,000 m³ of long-lived radioactive waste, which currently lacks an operational solution.
The French National Assembly’s Economic Affairs Committee mistakenly rejects a crucial article on France's nuclear strategy, causing significant parliamentary confusion and casting doubt on the country’s energy targets.
The French National Assembly’s Economic Affairs Committee mistakenly rejects a crucial article on France's nuclear strategy, causing significant parliamentary confusion and casting doubt on the country’s energy targets.
Czech court authorizes major $18 billion nuclear project, allowing Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power to proceed with the construction of a controversial power plant despite legal challenges.
Czech court authorizes major $18 billion nuclear project, allowing Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power to proceed with the construction of a controversial power plant despite legal challenges.

Ansaldo Energia signs strategic nuclear agreement with Uzbekistan

Italy’s Ansaldo Energia signed a memorandum of understanding with Uzbekistan’s Uzatom agency to cooperate on advanced nuclear technologies, with a focus on small modular reactors.
The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission has approved the uprated version of NuScale’s small modular reactor, paving the way for commercial deployment of compact nuclear projects in the United States.
The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission has approved the uprated version of NuScale’s small modular reactor, paving the way for commercial deployment of compact nuclear projects in the United States.
Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power signed a 26-month contract to assess a site in Uganda’s Buyende region for its first nuclear reactor, in compliance with International Atomic Energy Agency standards.
Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power signed a 26-month contract to assess a site in Uganda’s Buyende region for its first nuclear reactor, in compliance with International Atomic Energy Agency standards.
EDF is challenging the legality of the nuclear contract awarded to KHNP, citing potential South Korean state support in violation of EU rules, leading to a temporary suspension of the Dukovany II project.
EDF is challenging the legality of the nuclear contract awarded to KHNP, citing potential South Korean state support in violation of EU rules, leading to a temporary suspension of the Dukovany II project.

enCore Energy receives licence for Texas uranium project and begins construction

Canadian company enCore Energy has received regulatory approval to extend its radioactive materials licence to the Upper Spring Creek project, initiating the construction of new ISR facilities near its Rosita site.
The International Atomic Energy Agency revealed that Iran conducted undeclared nuclear activities at three sites, which could lead to a non-compliance resolution by mid-June.
The International Atomic Energy Agency revealed that Iran conducted undeclared nuclear activities at three sites, which could lead to a non-compliance resolution by mid-June.
EDF plans a new nuclear pipework factory at Cordemais by 2028, confirming the end of coal-fired power in France and the site's industrial conversion.
EDF plans a new nuclear pipework factory at Cordemais by 2028, confirming the end of coal-fired power in France and the site's industrial conversion.
Uranium Royalty Corp. invests CAD1mn ($730,000) in a 2% royalty on Forum Energy Metals’ Aberdeen project, located near one of the world’s largest undeveloped uranium deposits.
Uranium Royalty Corp. invests CAD1mn ($730,000) in a 2% royalty on Forum Energy Metals’ Aberdeen project, located near one of the world’s largest undeveloped uranium deposits.

NexGen Announces Record Uranium Discovery at Patterson Corridor East

NexGen Energy unveils exceptional assay results at the Patterson Corridor East site, with uranium intercepts among the highest concentrations globally, highlighting the growing economic relevance of this strategic area for the nuclear industry.
Nano Nuclear Energy announced a $105mn fundraising from institutional investors, bringing its total cash position above $200mn to accelerate its small-scale nuclear reactor projects.
Nano Nuclear Energy announced a $105mn fundraising from institutional investors, bringing its total cash position above $200mn to accelerate its small-scale nuclear reactor projects.
The suspension of the nuclear contract between KHNP and the Czech Republic has triggered intense reactions in South Korea, where the company and authorities express dissatisfaction with European legal and regulatory obstacles.
The suspension of the nuclear contract between KHNP and the Czech Republic has triggered intense reactions in South Korea, where the company and authorities express dissatisfaction with European legal and regulatory obstacles.
Facing growing energy demands, Indonesia has announced an ambitious nuclear program targeting 10 GW capacity by 2040, attracting interest from global industry giants to support this strategic shift towards a low-carbon economy.
Facing growing energy demands, Indonesia has announced an ambitious nuclear program targeting 10 GW capacity by 2040, attracting interest from global industry giants to support this strategic shift towards a low-carbon economy.

Washington approves launch of uranium and vanadium mine in Utah

The U.S. Department of the Interior has approved the Velvet-Wood site, the first mining project to benefit from an expedited environmental procedure aimed at strengthening national mineral security.
Blue Sky Uranium’s Ivana mining project in Argentina could begin production within three years, backed by an initial $35mn investment and an annual output capacity of 1.5 million pounds of uranium.
Blue Sky Uranium’s Ivana mining project in Argentina could begin production within three years, backed by an initial $35mn investment and an annual output capacity of 1.5 million pounds of uranium.
The German government expresses openness toward French nuclear energy, promising a technologically neutral approach despite internal divisions over recognizing nuclear as a sustainable energy within the European Union.
The German government expresses openness toward French nuclear energy, promising a technologically neutral approach despite internal divisions over recognizing nuclear as a sustainable energy within the European Union.
Donald Trump announces four executive orders to quadruple U.S. nuclear energy production within 25 years, radically accelerate regulatory approvals, secure enriched uranium supplies, and address the surging energy demands linked to artificial intelligence.
Donald Trump announces four executive orders to quadruple U.S. nuclear energy production within 25 years, radically accelerate regulatory approvals, secure enriched uranium supplies, and address the surging energy demands linked to artificial intelligence.

India approves siting of four new nuclear reactors in Rajasthan

India’s nuclear regulator has approved the siting of the Mahi Banswara project, which includes four 700 MWe PHWR reactors, reinforcing the country’s strategy of fleet-based deployment.
Emmanuel Macron is visiting Vietnam as the country expands its nuclear partnerships, signing today an agreement with the American company Westinghouse, following recent cooperation with Russia, intensifying competition in this strategic market.
Emmanuel Macron is visiting Vietnam as the country expands its nuclear partnerships, signing today an agreement with the American company Westinghouse, following recent cooperation with Russia, intensifying competition in this strategic market.
Westinghouse has signed seven new agreements with Bulgarian suppliers to support the construction of two AP1000 reactors at the Kozloduy nuclear power plant, further expanding its local industrial footprint.
Westinghouse has signed seven new agreements with Bulgarian suppliers to support the construction of two AP1000 reactors at the Kozloduy nuclear power plant, further expanding its local industrial footprint.
The Maanshan 2 reactor has been permanently disconnected from the grid, marking the end of nuclear operations in Taiwan in line with the national phase-out legislation.
The Maanshan 2 reactor has been permanently disconnected from the grid, marking the end of nuclear operations in Taiwan in line with the national phase-out legislation.

Advertising