SEIZING THE NUCLEAR OPPORTUNITY
Conference summary report
Prepared by Co-Production Lab Wales
February 2025
INTRODUCTION
SEIZING THE NUCLEAR OPPORTUNITY was a conference filled with creative activities and rich discussions, all focused around how North Wales can most effectively seize the opportunities associated with current and potential future nuclear investments and developments.
Hosted by Cwmni Egino, in partnership with the Wales Nuclear Forum, the event took place at Iard Hendre, on the outskirts of Bangor, and brought together approximately 70 stakeholders from across and beyond the nuclear sector, and with a huge diversity of perspectives on the challenges and opportunities we face across the region. Creative and interactive throughout, the day opened with a ‘Pub Quiz’ testing delegates’ knowledge of North Wales’ long nuclear history, and the breadth of current opportunities in the region’s low-carbon energy sector. Thereafter, over the course of the day, delegates took part in a series of breakout sessions, taking a closer look at:
SKILLS AND LEARNING: and how we can develop a workforce skilled and equipped to benefit from career opportunities within the nuclear sector.
CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE: and where strategic investment in our infrastructure may deliver the greatest benefit.
PARTNERSHIP: and how partners can work most effectively with each other and their communities to enhance the opportunities we are presented with.
SUPPLY CHAINS: and what can be done to help our start-ups, micro enterprises and SMEs to benefit from the nuclear supply chain.
COMMUNITY BENEFITS: and how nuclear developments can deliver sustainable and long-lasting benefits for all in North Wales.
Further food for thought was provided by Dr Edward Thomas Jones, Bangor University, who presented the findings of the Cwmni Egino commissioned report into ‘Ensuring community benefits from large energy infrastructure projects.’
After each of their breakout sessions, delegates collectively reflected on ‘What North Wales needs?’ co-defining a ‘mini-manifesto’ for positive action in the region. As the event came to a close, each shared their own personal pledge for action too, the simple things within their gift which could best contribute to North Wales seizing the nuclear opportunity, now, and in the future.
Support in designing and delivering the day’s activities was provided by Useful Projects, Ynys Resources and Co-production Lab Wales, and Coproduction Lab Wales have authored this short summary report. Over the coming pages, the report sets out the key themes arising from each of the conference’s break out discussions, the ‘mini-manifesto’ for positive action delegates co-defined, and the breadth of pledges for action they shared.
1. SKILLS AND LEARNING IN NORTH WALES
How can we develop a workforce skilled and equipped to benefit from career opportunities within the nuclear sector in North Wales?
For our skills and learning breakout session, our delegates reflected on their own skills, learning and professional development journeys to consider what matters most when it comes to supporting the career progression of current and future generations in North Wales. Sitting in groups of three, they took it in turns to interview one another, with one person taking the role of interviewer, one taking the role of interviewee, and one taking the role of scribe. Every interview was built around the same core set of questions:
1. WHAT ARE THE SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS THAT HAVE HELPED TO BRING YOU HERE TODAY?
2. WHAT ARE THE NETWORKS AND CONNECTIONS THAT HAVE HELPED TO BRING YOU HERE TODAY?
3. WHAT ARE THE PASSIONS AND PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES THAT HAVE HELPED TO BRING YOU HERE TODAY?
4. WHAT ARE THE BARRIERS THAT COULD HAVE PREVENTED YOU FROM BEING HERE TODAY, AND HOW HAVE YOU BEEN ABLE TO OVERCOME THEM?
5. WHEN YOU REFLECT UPON YOUR OWN LEARNING JOURNEY, WHAT IS THE MOST SIGNIFICANT THING THAT STANDS OUT FOR YOU?
Following their interviews, delegates reflected on the synergies between their experiences, the places where their development journeys had diverged, and what the key lessons were for anyone seeking to carve a career in the low-carbon energy sector in North Wales today.
WHAT WE FOUND OUT…
Across the conversations, five key themes regularly emerged for delegates:
FOUNDATIONAL SKILLS: there is no one background or career path that best prepares you for a career in the sector. However, what all routes have in common is a grounding in foundational (and highly transferable) skills in leadership, communication and project management – coupled with a wide range of technical competencies.
EDUCATIONAL
PATHWAYS: academic and vocational pathways are equally viable routes into careers in the sector, reflecting the great diversity of roles within the nuclear industry and its supply chains. Apprenticeships were valued as much as degrees, with particular emphasis placed on the benefits of hands-on and experiential training.
OVERCOMING BARRIERS: barriers to progress for delegates included limited job opportunities in North Wales, and long-standing uncertainties regarding investment in nuclear in the region. A lack of public understanding and support for nuclear energy was also highlighted as something which can deter people from careers within the sector, and a need for greater diversity across the sector has stressed.
NETWORKING: strong professional networks were seen as critical to career progression, with delegates having benefited from their participation in events such as this and their memberships of professional associations. Regional partnerships and events were seen as crucial for learning, sharing knowledge, and creating collaborative opportunities.
PASSION: A passion for the sector and the region is essential for a long and satisfying career. Delegates shared their commitment to North Wales, it’s language, people and culture, and desire to see their work leave a long-term legacy for their region.
Overall, delegates felt the most important enablers of their own progression had been hands-on experience, perseverance, and the right skills and connections. They emphasised collaboration, diverse perspectives, and the need for lifelong learning.
2.CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE FOR NUCLEAR IN NORTH WALES
Where can strategic investment in our infrastructure deliver the greatest benefit?
For our critical infrastructure session, delegates reflected on the ‘energy infrastructure’ of North Wales, and the places where strategic investment and development could deliver the greatest benefit. This ‘energy infrastructure’ was considered in the broadest sense, from energy generation to our transport network, and from our digital connectivity to our educational provision: that is, any and every asset which enables North Wales’ energy economy.
Gathering around a North Wales map, delegates plotted the region’s current and desired assets, considering:
1. WHERE CURRENT ‘ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE’ EXISTS, AND WHERE THE REGION’S NATURAL STRENGTHS ARE.
2. WHERE SPECIFIC INVESTMENT IN (AND DEVELOPMENT OF) OUR ‘ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE’ IS NEEDED (INCLUDING NEW
3.WHERE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN CURRENT (AND PROPOSED) INFRASTRUCTURE COULD BE DEVELOPED AND ENHANCED.
4.WHERE FEATURES OF NORTH WALES’ GEOGRAPHY (AND POPULATION CENTRES) CONSTRICT AND/OR INFLUENCE HOW ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE MAY BE DEVELOPED.
Trawsfynydd
Wylfa
WHAT WE FOUND OUT…
Through their deliberations, delegates highlighted a range of strengths, weaknesses and areas of priority with respect to our critical infrastructure in North Wales.
KEY STRENGTHS: a range of assets were highlighted as making North Wales an attractive place to invest in the low-carbon energy economy, including its industrial estates (for example in Wrexham and Deeside), the proposed North Wales Investment Zone and Freeport, and its strong existing transport connections with the North West of England. Through our universities, colleges and other training providers, our ‘skills and learning infrastructure’ was seen as well placed to adapt and respond, if and when a commitment to nuclear investment into the region is made.
KEY WEAKNESSES: areas highlighted where North Wales may be held back by its existing infrastructure include the lack of a regional airport, an under-developed transport network, poor digital connectivity and a lack of affordable housing in the vicinity of key sites for nuclear development. Several ‘bottle-necks’ in existing infrastructure were identified, for example, the road network at the Menai and Britannia Bridges.
OPPORTUNITIES: widespread opportunities to enhance infrastructure were identified, through building strong alliances across sectors, utilising new regional bodies such as the Corporate Joint Committee, and the potential for strategic investment into key power, transport and digital connectivity programmes. ]
Overall, the need for decisions was emphasised, allowing for forward planning, and more strategic infrastructure investment decisions to be made.
3.THE PARTNERSHIP L ANDSCAPE IN NORTH WALES
How can partners work most effectively with each other and their communities to enhance the opportunities we are presented with?
For our partnership session, delegates were invited to imagine that they were responsible for developing a partnership strategy for a new nuclear development in a fictional town.
In groups, they considered:
WHAT
Each partner would contribute to the partnership
WHO
Their partners were
WHAT
WHAT
Their partners were
Would make it easier for each partner to contribute
WHAT
Must be avoided if the partnership is to flourish
In doing so, the group created a ‘Who-What-What-What’ matrix, setting out how public, private and third sector organisations can work most effectively together (and with their communities) to optimise the opportunities such developments bring about.
WHAT WE FOUND OUT…
Reflecting on the deliberations of delegates and all the points their raised across their discussions, their fictional town may have a set of guiding principles for partnership that look a little bit like this …
We envision a town where partnerships are built on trust, transparency, and shared purpose, creating opportunities for growth, stability, and mutual success. Together, we will ensure that every project and initiative contributes to the prosperity and well-being our town’s people and our future generations.
We will achieve this with:
CLARITY AND UNITY OF PURPOSE : with shared goals, coherent plans and a focus on the long term.
COLLABORATION AND ENGAGEMENT: with open and transparent communication at the heart of our partnership, and spaces created to foster dialogue, engagement, and mutual understanding.
CO-PRODUCTION: empowering local voices and ensuring that every member of our community feels heard and valued. Our partnerships will focus on delivering benefits not just to specific industries but to the wider community.
INVESTMENT IN PEOPLE: including in skills development, job creation and knowledge sharing, to support our workforce and strengthen our capacity for success.
TRUST AND MUTUAL RESPECT: we will work proactively to build trust, with honest communication and every partnership relationship grounded in mutual respect, fairness, and a commitment to shared benefits.
Overall, clarity of intentions, clear communication, local support and a commitment to mutual benefit were seen as fundamental to success.
4.THE NORTH WALES SUPPLY CHAIN
For our supply chain session, delegates undertook a form of SWOT analysis. Reflecting on the experiences of start-ups, micro-enterprises and small businesses accessing the nuclear supply chain in North Wales, they mapped out:
The ‘MOUNTAINS’ : everything which is currently working well and enabling businesses to access the supply chain.
The ‘SWAMPS’ : everything which gets businesses bogged down and hinders their access to the supply chain.
The ‘RIVERS ’: the things which can drive positive change and get people from the swamp to the mountain.
WHAT WE FOUND OUT…
MOUNTAINS
Supply chain opportunities are enhanced by:
GOVERNMENT SUPPORT: with services such as Business Wales helping small businesses to identify and take supply chain opportunities.
A SKILLED WORKFORCE: with North Wales benefiting from a workforce skilled in the nuclear sector, complemented by transferable skills from offshore and other sectors.
HERITAGE: with a long-standing nuclear heritage providing a strong foundation for future growth.
COLLABORATION: with many supportive networks already in existence, connecting people and enhancing supply chain integration.
POLITICAL BACKING: with advocacy for nuclear itself helping to create more opportunities.
SWAMPS
Supply chain opportunities are hindered by:
SKILLS SHORTAGES: a counterpoint to a skilled force, is the risk of local talent being lost ‘post-Wylfa Newydd’, and many smaller businesses not being prepared for the specific demands of working in the nuclear sector.
REGULATORY BARRIERS: with the complex regulatory frameworks and accreditation requirements of the sector making it difficult for smaller businesses to enter the supply chain.
UNCERTAINTY: of timescales for development and technologies to be adopted making it harder for businesses to invest their own resources in readying themselves to respond to future supply chain opportunities.
LOGISTICS: with transport infrastructure creating logistics challenges and impacting upon prospective projects’ efficiency and viability.
RIVERS
Positive change can be driven by:
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT: including investment in apprenticeships, training schemes and upskilling programmes for small businesses.
FURTHER COLLABORATION: partnering with anchor companies and collaborating with bodies such as the North West Nuclear Arc can create new business opportunities and access to a broader supply chain.
FUNDING AND INCENTIVES: to assist businesses in adapting to access the supply chain, to meet industry standards, and respond effectively to tendering opportunities.
SECTOR VISIBILITY: with the nuclear sector’s critical role in the transition to a low-carbon economy actively prompted, to improve the sector’s public image and by proxy, attract new talent to the sector.
5.COMMUNITY BENEFITS
How can nuclear developments deliver sustainable and long-lasting benefits for all in North Wales?
For our community benefits session, we began by asking delegates ‘How can the people, places, and economy of North Wales benefit from nuclear development?’
From there, delegates were invited to share their experiences of living in North Wales, and/or working in nuclear development.
They discussed
• What North Wales could and should gain from nuclear development,
• What has worked well in the past to drive meaningful benefits, and,
• What hasn’t worked so well.
They were encouraged to think outside of the box, beyond the traditional socio-economic benefits of jobs and skills to initiatives that enable people and places to thrive, and what is needed to make that happen.
They organised their thoughts and reflection according to the benefits nuclear development can bring about for people, for places, and for local economies.
WHAT WE FOUND OUT…
PEOPLE
Nuclear development can most effectively benefit people in ways including:
» Creating not just jobs but careers
» Fostering collaboration across and between organisations and communities.
» Supporting underrepresented groups to gain work and opportunities.
» Promoting sustainable low-carbon growth with community integration.
PLACES
Nuclear development can most effectively benefit places in ways including:
» Attracting inward investment.
» Facilitating infrastructure enhancements.
» Promoting cultural identity, preserving heritage and promoting sustainable tourism.
» Investing in arts, leisure and environmental initiatives.
» Reducing energy costs in the locality of developments.
LOCAL ECOMOMIES
Nuclear development can most effectively benefit communities in ways including:
» Encouraging collaboration between businesses.
» Improving the diversity of job opportunities available in communities, retaining and attracting talent.
» Enhancing local transport infrastructure.
» Providing a long-term commitment which stimulates wider and sustained economic growth.
Overall, the importance of understanding the inherent, embedded and additional benefits which nuclear can deliver.
WHAT DOES NORTH WALES NEED?
Drawing their conclusions from each breakout session, delegates co-defined statements of what ‘North Wales needs’ – those things which they felt could reap the greatest rewards when it comes to ‘seizing the nuclear opportunity’.
Five clear themes emerged across these statements – our ‘mini-manifesto’ for positive action in the region.
LONG-TERM STRATEGY AND CERTAINTY
COLLABORATION AND LEADERSHIP
SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AND RETENTION
COMMUNITY BENEFITS AND INVESTMENT
DIVERSITY AND ADAPTABILITY
North Wales needs a long-term, strategic plan that provides greater certainty and clarity in decision-making, investment, and project timelines, irrespective of political changes.
North Wales needs strong leadership, open partnerships, and cross-sector collaboration to advocate for the region.
North Wales needs a coordinated approach to skills development, with initiatives that retain skilled workers, attract graduates back, and ensure a talented workforce for the future.
North Wales needs a long-term, joined-up strategy to ensure that infrastructure development, job creation, and community benefits are at the heart of regional growth and investment.
North Wales needs to focus on increasing diversity within the nuclear sector and fostering transferable skills to build a sustainable and inclusive workforce for the future.
PLEDGES FOR ACTION…
We asked each of our delegates what actions they would personally be taking to contribute to helping North Wales ‘seize the nuclear opportunity, now, and in the future.
With pledges falling consistently into six themes, here are some examples of what people said…
LEADERSHIP AND PROACTIVITY
COLLABORATION AND
PARTNERSHIP
“I will champion the strength of will to collectively deliver a large nuclear project in North West Wales – we want it and we can do it!”
ADVOCACY AND PROMOTION
“I will promote a ‘North Wales Industry Charter’ to bring together industry/ projects to make sure we are best placed to capitalise on the opportunity.”
“I will lobby the UK and Welsh governments to not renege on their promise to bring new nuclear to Wales.”
NETWORKING AND KNOWLEDGE SHARING “I will attend more of these events!”
COMMUNITY BENEFITS AND SOCIAL VALUE
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND
REGIONAL GROWTH
“I will ensure our organisation continues to deliver its mission responsibilities, maximising social value from its activities, and being an active partner in shaping the future of the region.”
“I will continue to work to develop the North Wales nuclear industry and increase living standards for our communities.”