The UK nuclear industry is clearly too young to die, but unless decisive action is taken soon, the industry will be too old to reproduce. All we need now is some action. One of the biggest problems the nuclear industry faces is overcoming the perception of young, skilled people that it is a dull industry, dying on its feet, and without a future. Sue Stockton, BNFL s head of people organisation and development, faces exactly that problem. She says today s young workforce known as generation X is less loyal to employers, more mobile and is more comfortable working irregular hours.
People join companies but they leave managers.
There is hope, however. He is right. This is an extremely challenging, exciting area of nuclear engineering with guaranteed work for decades to come. The problem is trying to convince the rest of generation X. Richard says the older generation needs to be retained to transfer knowledge and experience, while more talented young people need to be recruited as they represent the future of the industry, and this goes back to education and changing people s perception. BNFL has made some progress, investing in a 10m scheme to create centres of excellence at universities around the country.