On 27 April 2021, the French nuclear industry, the Union des Industries et Métiers de la Métallurgie (UIMM), the Union Française de l'Electricité (UFE), France Industrie and Pôle Emploi met for the first time since their commitment to the creation of the "Université des Métiers du Nucléaire" (University of Nuclear Professions) to adopt the statutes of the association.
An initiative in line with the commitments of the Excell EDF Plan
This initiative aims to boost the nuclear sector's training systems at regional, interregional and national levels, particularly in critical skills.
Four main categories of actions will be undertaken from 2021:
- Supporting the creation of new training sites or courses and the deployment of innovative teaching methods targeted at sensitive trades such as welding and machining;
- Support local projects, in particular through regional campuses that will strengthen training for nuclear industry professions;
- Set up a scholarship scheme for students in initial training for the Bac PRO, BAC+2 and CAP in order to improve the attractiveness of young people to occupations in short supply (industrial electrician, boilermaker, pipe fitter, rotating machine mechanic, welder) throughout the country by promoting excellent profiles. Initially, around fifty grants of around 600 euros per month will be awarded;
- By the end of the year, create a web portal for jobs and training, aimed at the general public, in order to contribute to the attractiveness of the sector.
As part of the amendment to the strategic contract for the nuclear industry, the University of Nuclear Professions will be based on the France RELANCE plan. The nuclear sector offers major prospects in terms of employment and today represents 220,000 jobs in France, which are both non-relocatable and skilled. These jobs are also meaningful because they contribute directly to the energy transition and the fight against global warming through the development of low-carbon, controllable electricity production methods.
Nearly 30,000 employees were recruited over the period 2015-2018 and more than 20,000 recruitments are envisaged over the period 2020-2023 (source: CSFN survey of 2019).
The Université des Métiers du Nucléaire is in line with the commitments of the Excell Plan for the excellence of the nuclear industry implemented by EDF with the industry and, more broadly, with the performance plans of the manufacturers.
Photo credits: Stéphanie Jayet/EDF
