The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority is expanding its project training initiative into a UK-wide programme aimed at strengthening project and programme delivery capability across the nuclear sector.
The One NDA Project Academy builds on the original academy launched at Sellafield in 2016 and will now support project professionals working across all 17 NDA sites in England, Scotland and Wales. The University of Cumbria has been confirmed as the academy’s operator under a new six-year contract, with the option to extend for a further three years.
Over the past decade, the academy has helped more than 7,000 learners develop skills in project delivery, primarily supporting Sellafield Ltd employees while also opening opportunities to businesses across Cumbria.
Building capability for complex infrastructure programmes
The expanded academy will deliver more than 60 courses covering core disciplines essential to major infrastructure programmes, including project management, risk, stakeholder management, project controls, health and safety, and quality assurance.
Courses range from short professional development modules to full degree programmes, designed to reflect the growing complexity of infrastructure delivery in the nuclear sector.
Jacq Longrigg, NDA Group People Development Director, said the programme has already played a key role in strengthening professional capability across nuclear programmes.
“The project academy has pioneered a fresh approach to professional development in programme and project delivery, setting new standards for the UK skills agenda.
“Now the academy moves into its next phase, providing development opportunities for the entire project and programme community across the NDA group.”
Supporting long-term nuclear programme delivery
The nuclear decommissioning programme represents one of the UK’s most complex long-term infrastructure challenges, requiring sustained capability in programme governance, engineering coordination and risk management over multi-decade timelines.
Andy Sharples, Project Director at Sellafield Ltd, said the academy has already demonstrated its value in supporting delivery at one of the UK’s most technically demanding sites.
“I’ve seen first-hand the impact the Project Academy has had on people who are now helping deliver infrastructure projects at Sellafield. We’re excited to build a sustainable pipeline of talent to support major programmes not only here, but across the UK.”
A collaborative training ecosystem
The academy works with a network of nationally recognised training providers including Provek, 20/20 Project Management, RPC UK and the CITB National Construction College. It also partners with regional businesses in Cumbria and specialist providers focused on project delivery capability.
The initiative reflects a growing recognition across government and industry that successful infrastructure programmes depend not only on funding and technology, but on a strong pipeline of skilled project professionals capable of managing complex, high-risk environments.
By expanding the academy nationally, the NDA aims to strengthen that capability across the UK’s nuclear decommissioning mission while supporting wider infrastructure delivery across the country.
The academy is available to members of the public and details of the courses available and how to apply can be found here.
