General Atomics

South West Regional Hub for Nuclear Skills officially launched

The South West Regional Hub for Nuclear Skills, sponsored by Babcock and EDF, has officially been launched to support the delivery of the National Nuclear Strategic Plan for Skills (the Skills Plan).



Image courtesy Babcock


The Skills Plan, launched in May 2024, aims to address the national nuclear skills shortage and sets out targeted action that the UK will take to ensure it has the required skills to support the UK’s priorities for national security, energy resilience and clean energy. The plan identifies regional collaboration as a key enabler to addressing the skills shortage.

The South West Regional Hub brings together industry across nuclear civil and defence, key economic stakeholders and learning and educational providers, to maximise the impact of key activities to address the South West’s specific skills challenges. We’re proud to be a sponsor of the Hub and remain committed to ensuring that we have the people and skills needed in the South West to deliver the region’s critical civil and defence nuclear commitments.

Collette McMullen, Babcock’s Skills Director, is the South West Regional Hub Chair and attended the launch event yesterday alongside Harry Holt, Chief Executive of Babcock’s Nuclear Sector.

Collette said: “Babcock is a major employer in the South West, delivering nationally important programmes through our defence and civil nuclear businesses. We are fully invested in regional collaboration to maximise the impact of our skills activities and secure the critical talent we need to expand the growth potential of the region.”

Mark Rouse, Skills Director for the National Nuclear Strategic Plan for Skills, said: “While the Nuclear Skills Plan is a comprehensive national strategy, it must also resonate with communities across the country who are facing different skills challenges. For our joint success, we must work together, leveraging our combined strengths and capabilities. The launch of the South West Regional Hub provides an unparalleled opportunity to connect people in the South West and contribute to regional growth while supporting our national challenge of filling 40,000 more jobs by 2030.”

The South West Regional Hub is one of two founding Regional Hubs, with the other covering the North West. A third hub in the Midlands has also been established, with hubs in Scotland and Wales under development.

Those interested in supporting or playing an active role in the South West Regional Hub can register their interest online here.

Related

CAA explores future for BVLOS drone ops
Amazon PrimeAir MK30 drone
CAA explores future for BVLOS drone ops
A new report from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) outlines a vision for enabling routine Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) commercial drone operations alongside existing UK airspace users.
Aerospace Security

3 Aug 2026

UK SMEs given support to commercialise proven solutions
Connected Places Catapult
UK SMEs given support to commercialise proven solutions
A new programme of tailored support is set to help UK small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with proven transport and construction solutions, to commercialise at scale.
Aerospace Security

3 Aug 2026

Gatwick faces two-day fuel shortage as airlines contend with higher costs
Air China London Gatwick
Gatwick faces two-day fuel shortage as airlines contend with higher costs
Gatwick Airport has warned airlines of a temporary jet fuel shortage caused by a technical fault. Long-haul flights are most likely to face operational challenges.
Aerospace Most Read

3 Aug 2026

Serco Defence UK appoints Mike Paterson as Maritime Services Director
Mike Paterson, Maritime Services Director, Serco Defence UK.
Serco Defence UK appoints Mike Paterson as Maritime Services Director
The appointment is part of Serco Defence UK's plans to grow and develop its Maritime portfolio.
Defence Member News

3 Aug 2026

First new homes delivered for British armed forces in Cyprus
Homes for British Armed Force personnel, at Dhekelia Station in Cyprus
First new homes delivered for British armed forces in Cyprus
The first phase of new homes for armed forces personnel and their families has been delivered under major programme in Cyprus.
Defence

3 Aug 2026

Why the UK’s new Brontanax CCA has to use American engines
Brontanax BAE Systems
Why the UK’s new Brontanax CCA has to use American engines
BAE may now design its Brontanax loyal wingman drone with US engines after Rolls-Royce's options were deemed too expensive.
Defence Most Read

3 Aug 2026

AccelerComm underpins Eclipse Space’s 5G physical layer for satellite constellations
UK From Space-Telecom
AccelerComm underpins Eclipse Space’s 5G physical layer for satellite constellations
Flight-proven 5G non-terrestrial network (NTN) tech from Southampton based AccelerComm, is supporting a scalable direct-to-device and broadband architecture from Starlink veterans behind Eclipse Space.
Member News Space

31 Jul 2026

ALL.SPACE releases Hydra MAX wideband platform for multi-orbit ops
Hydra on Defender
ALL.SPACE releases Hydra MAX wideband platform for multi-orbit ops
ALL.SPACE has released Hydra MAX, designed to unlock next-generation wideband Ka networks with multi-orbit connectivity.
Defence Space

28 Jul 2026

Wiltshire schoolchildren take second place in international rocketry final
Abbeyfield School 2nd Place
Wiltshire schoolchildren take second place in international rocketry final
Schoolchildren from Chippenham achieved second place at the International Youth Rocketry Challenge during the Farnborough International Airshow.
Aerospace Defence Events Security ...

27 Jul 2026

CAA explores future for BVLOS drone ops
Amazon PrimeAir MK30 drone
CAA explores future for BVLOS drone ops
A new report from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) outlines a vision for enabling routine Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) commercial drone operations alongside existing UK airspace users.
Aerospace Security

3 Aug 2026

UK SMEs given support to commercialise proven solutions
Connected Places Catapult
UK SMEs given support to commercialise proven solutions
A new programme of tailored support is set to help UK small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with proven transport and construction solutions, to commercialise at scale.
Aerospace Security

3 Aug 2026

QinetiQ equips young people with cyber skills
CyberFirst Advanced at Lancaster University
QinetiQ equips young people with cyber skills
Hundreds of youngsters have been given the opportunity to equip themselves with real-world cyber skills.