New Cooperation Industry-Academia Supporting Dutch Nuclear Plans

In the last years, the Dutch Government made several steps forward to build new nuclear power plants and to extend the operating life of the existing plant.in the Netherlands.

In December 2022, the government announced the selection of the existing Borssele site as a preferred location for the proposed construction of two new nuclear power reactor units, supporting at the same time the legislative process to allow the lifetime extension of the currently operational unit beyond 2033.

In addition, the new PALLAS reactor, crucial for the production of medical isotopes and for technological research, is under construction.

The realisation of these ambitious plans requires sufficient increase and improvement of the skilled workforce in the coming years.

Last week, nuclear industry stakeholders EPZ, NRG-Pallas, Urenco (ENS Corporate Members), COVRA and educational institutions Scalda, Horizon College/Regio College, Vonk, ROC van Twente and TU Delft signed a declaration of intent, intending to jointly develop a new nuclear curriculum to increase the interest of students for careers in the sector.

The organisations will develop a multi-year plan for cooperation and will jointly explore funding opportunities.

The collaborating partners will focus on new education packages in the field of nuclear technology and radiation protection, coordinated internship programmes and better career orientation to make students enthusiastic about a career in the sector. The initiators are of course open to expanding cooperation with other vocational institutions, companies and organisations

the partners said.

Read the Urenco Press Release.