Nuclear decommissioning centre shares learning with MoD apprentices

AN INNOVATIVE engineering and maintenance centre is forging links with the Ministry of Defence to help share learnings between the nuclear and defence sectors.

Sellafield Ltd Engineering Centre of Excellence in Cleator Moor, Cumbria hosted degree apprentices from Royal Naval Armaments Depot (RNAD) Coulport in Argyll and Bute, Scotland on Wednesday (July 24).

The visit was arranged by the Sellafield Engineering Centre of Excellence team to showcase its pioneering work with Robotics, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs), flight and electrical simulators and VR technology.

Five MoD degree apprentices, all on a five-year programme linked to the University of Wales, Trinity Saint David, at Swansea, gained hands-on experience of operating a drone simulator, using VR equipment and a range of other remotely operated technology at the state-of-the-art centre in Cumbria.

They were given an introduction to the centre, how it has evolved and an overview of its work and mission by Craig Branney, Sellafield’s Head of Off-Site Developments; Gareth Frazer, Head of Manufactured Products Organisation (MPO); Kevin Rishworth, Engineering Lead; and Chris Pool, Maintenance Team Leader/Manager.

All five degree apprentices were impressed with the centre and its team and said they were taking away learnings from their experience which could be applied in their own industry within the MoD.

Emalie said: “It is really interesting to see how they do things here and deploy innovative remote access solutions, including utilising the capability of drones and also using VR for in-depth training so people can learn and hone their skills in a setting where it’s safe to make mistakes before deploying solutions in a live environment. I am interested in how we can use that approach and technology back at our site.

“I am also interested in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) and it’s good to see all the outreach programmes here which are encouraging more females into the industry and inspiring young people across the community, which are both aspects I am passionate about.”

Fellow degree apprentice David said: “The centre is really impressive. The flexibility that the team has here to experiment with different possibilities and how new technologies can be utilised in different ways is very interesting. We will be taking back some learnings.”

James Wilcock, who is close to concluding a three-year degree apprenticeship as a technical engineer at Sellafield Engineering Centre of Excellence, demonstrated a drone flight simulator before handing the controls over to the visitors.

James said: “It’s great to have this engagement across all aspects of government organisations and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA). Along with the work we do in schools, getting people excited about STEM, it also lets people know what we do at Sellafield and the innovative technology and solutions we develop here.”

Chris Pool, Maintenance Team Leader/Manager, who has worked at Sellafield for more than 40 years and is sharing his knowledge and experience through outreach programmes and the MDN (Maintenance Delivery Network), said: “It’s good to share knowledge through these engagements. One little idea shared through a five-minute conversation can lead to a lifetime of change and make a big difference.

“We are all in the nuclear industry and we can share with others across the industry how, through the use of robotics, drones and ROVs, we can access areas without putting people at risk.

“The Centre of Excellence is an ideal environment for working with these new technologies, a place to create it, test it, adapt it, approve it, train on it and then deploy it.”

Clare Charters, Engineering Support at the centre, who arranged the visit, said: “It has been a brilliant day, enjoyed by all of our team and the degree apprentices. It has been really good to share ideas between both organisations.

“We are planning to set up another event with the MoD later in the year and there are also some other activities we are looking to do in the near future.”

Two MoD graduates will be on secondments at Sellafield’s Engineering Centre of Excellence for four months and six months respectively from the end of October.