Tue, 21 July, 2026
We are delighted to announce that we have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Skills Academy for Nuclear (NSAN) to work together to strengthen welding skills for the UK nuclear industry, supporting the specialist workforce needed to deliver the sector’s long-term ambitions.
The agreement combines NSAN’s role as a leading skills body for the nuclear sector and TWI’s expertise in welding, joining, inspection and certification. Together we will collaborate to develop new solutions that address the welding skills gap across the nuclear sector.
This partnership comes at a pivotal moment as many experienced welders are approaching retirement and demand for specialist capability is rising. NSAN and TWI will focus on upskilling those who are already operating within the sector, while also enabling new entrants to gain access to opportunities.
The scale of the challenge is significant as, by 2030, the UK nuclear sector is estimated to need 40,000 additional skilled workers in order to support civil and defence programmes.
TWI brings extensive capability in training, certification and technical support, involving welding inspection and training, internationally recognised CSWIP certification and third-party approvals that support quality and compliance.
NSAN brings its strong employer network across the nuclear sector, insight into workforce and skills needs, and the ability to convene industry, providers and partners around practical solutions. This helps to ensure there is a clear response to demand, support for accessible development pathways, and real value delivered for employers looking to build capability.
Speaking on the MoU, Jason Gregory (TWI Director of Training and Skills) said:
“This MoU represents an important step in strengthening the UK nuclear sector’s welding capability at a time of growing demand. By combining TWI’s technical expertise in welding, inspection and certification with NSAN’s deep connection to employers and workforce needs, we can support the development of a highly skilled, nuclear-ready workforce. Together, we are well-placed to help address critical skills gaps and enable the safe, high-quality delivery of nuclear programmes across the UK.”
Tricia Austin (Managing Director of NSAN) said:
“This MoU reflects our shared commitment to supporting the UK’s nuclear workforce strategy and helping the sector build the capability it needs for the future. By bringing together industry insight, employer engagement and specialist technical expertise, we can make a meaningful contribution to the skills base that underpins timely delivery across the nuclear industry.”
This MoU will help to address future or current challenges faced within the nuclear sector.