North Wales students received a boost this week as Magnox, the management and operations contractor responsible for 10 UK power plants, announced plans to move their centralised UK Learning & Development unit to Coleg Menai.
The unique partnership, which is a first in the UK, will see Magnox UK, operators of the Wylfa Power Station, move their training unit from its present base at the Anglesey power station, over to a purpose built facility at Coleg Menai’s Llangefni campus.
Speaking at the announcement, Magnox Ltd HR Business Partner Dick Anyon said: “Magnox is delighted to be part of this initiative which aims to make best use of a world class facility, be that by existing Magnox or Horizon employees, or students hoping to take advantage of the job opportunities created by Horizon’s anticipated £8 billion investment at Wylfa B.
“Magnox professionals will assist the College in the provision of industry standard training, which will be a great advantage to students seeking employment within the Nuclear and wider energy sector.”
The move is part of a four-way tie-up between the college, Horizon Nuclear Power, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) and Magnox. The partnership was backed by a 30-year lease arrangement with the college.
“The co-location allows the college to exploit the £6 million Canolfan Ynni (energy centre), along with its teaching resources for the nuclear and renewables segments of the energy sector,” said Coleg Menai’s principal Dafydd Evans.
“Canolfan Ynni is unique in being able to provide skills and training for the energy industry. This is crucial to our economy as the sector in North Wales is expected to offer considerable growth in years to come. You’ve also got the wider opportunities now coming into view through the Energy Island strategy, and the recently announced Energy enterprise zone.”
Horizon’s Stakeholder Relations Manager Richard Foxhall said: “This is a major step forward for Coleg Menai in taking the lead in energy sector training in the UK. The Canolfan Ynni is a world-class facility and will play a key role in supporting careers for local learners into the nuclear sector.”
The energy centre offer specialised courses for young people to train to work in the energy industry. It houses the UK’s only flow-loop simulator outside of a nuclear power station. The rig, which was built to exact same specification as Wylfa’s current set-up, is used in human performance and maintenance engineering training.
