14 AUGUST 2024: Preparing to deliver safe, sustainable, low-carbon energy to the grid from fusion reactions requires developing the necessary skills pathways today. Collaboration between stakeholders is key, and to this end the UK Fusion Skills Council is today announcing the appointment of two new co-chairs to support the growth of the fusion sector and workforce.
“We need to empower the next generation now in our quest to deliver fusion as a secure supply of clean and affordable energy to meet rising demand and address climate change,” says Jane Shannon, Director of People and Engagement at Tokamak Energy, and new co-chair of the UK Fusion Skills Council.
Future scientists, engineers, and central support staff need to be given the skills and opportunities to enter the cutting-edge fusion industry. This goal has led to a collaboration between the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), Tokamak Energy, First Light Fusion, and 17 other commercial organisations and academic institutions to support the fusion sector's growing workforce with 2,200 people over the next five years.
In 2023, the UK Fusion Skills Council – made up from this cross-section of stakeholders – produced a collaborative sector strategy for skills, informing and prompting a comprehensive skills programme led by UKAEA on behalf of the fusion sector to meet the needs of various companies and organisations across the industry.
This programme’s key workstreams are ‘Academia’, ‘Industry’ and ‘Skills Hub’, with desired outcomes including:
- Increasing the number of apprentices and graduates within the sector;
- Universities increasing the number of post-graduate courses and doctorates;
- International partners increasing the post-doctoral training opportunities within fusion.
This programme will also support outreach to schools and STEM education innovations.
The UK Fusion Skills Council’s other co-chair is Ryan Ramsey, Chief Operations Officer from First Light Fusion. These new appointments are with immediate effect and provide an advisory and monitoring role to the programme’s leadership team.
“I’m honoured to be part of the UK Fusion Skills Council tasked by UKAEA with advising on and monitoring the strategic delivery of the skills and development programme,” Shannon said. “Our mission is to highlight the exciting opportunities the fusion industry has to offer, plus deepen and widen the talent pool so we are in the strongest position possible for this exciting new delivery phase of fusion technology.”
Ramsey commented: “I’m deeply proud to be joining the UK Fusion Skills Council on behalf of First Light Fusion. It is a vitally important collaboration on meeting the future skills requirements in fusion.“
Fusion is a multi-generational challenge, and the next generation of scientists, engineers and technicians will be an essential part in delivering commercial fusion energy for the benefit of all. Working in fusion is about unlocking a new, clean energy source and decarbonising our planet. I hope more of our best talent will join us on that journey to change the world,” he added.
Nick Walkden, Head of Fusion Skills at UKAEA, said: “We are delighted to have Jane and Ryan in position alongside the diverse membership of the UK Fusion Skills Council. The challenge and opportunity presented by skills growth for fusion is one that we all share, and we are dedicated to ensuring that the benefits of this important programme are felt throughout our sector. The UK Fusion Skills Council, chaired by Jane and Ryan, will be a core element that will enable us to do that, both now and for the future.”
Organisations represented within the UK Fusion Skills Council include:
UKAEA
Tokamak Energy
First Light Fusion
Fusion CDT
Tae Technologies
Rullion
Kyoto Fusioneering
Oxford Sigma
EDF
digiLab
Jacobs
Atkins Réalis
Assystem
Frazer Nash Consultancy
Manufacturing Technology Centre
UK Research and Innovation
University of Bristol
University of Birmingham
University of Manchester
University of York
About United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority: UKAEA is the national organisation responsible for the research and delivery of sustainable fusion energy. It is an executive non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
UKAEA runs the fusion machine MAST-Upgrade (Mega Amp Spherical Tokamak) and is delivering the transition of JET from plasma operations to repurposing and decommissioning. The insights gained from this process will contribute to the advancement of sustainable future fusion power plants.
STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production) is a UKAEA programme that will demonstrate the ability to generate net energy from fusion. It will also determine how the plant will be maintained through its operational life and prove the potential for the plant to produce its own fuel. The first phase of the programme is to produce a concept design by 2024. In 2023, UKAEA was allocated £650 million for the UK's alternative programme to associating to Euratom R&T.
The funding aims to foster world-leading innovation whilst stimulating general industry capacity through international collaboration and the development of future fusion power plants. UKAEA also undertakes cutting edge work with research organisations and the industrial supply chain in a wide spectrum of areas, including robotics and materials.
More information: https://www.gov.uk/ukaea. Social Media: @UKAEAofficial
About Tokamak Energy: Tokamak Energy is a leading global commercial fusion energy company based near Oxford, UK. We are a world leader in two transformative technologies: the compact spherical tokamak and High Temperature Superconductor (HTS) magnets. One company, with licensable technology for commercialising clean, secure and affordable fusion energy and enabling new levels of performance in HTS applications that change the world in which we live today.Founded in 2009 as a spin-off from UK Atomic Energy Authority, we employ a growing team of over 250 people with experts from the UK and around the world. This combines world leading scientific, engineering, industrial and commercial capabilities.
We have 77 families of patent applications and have raised $250 million, comprising $200m from private investors and $50m from the UK and US governments.Our U.S. subsidiary, Tokamak Energy Inc, was established in 2019 and is one of eight companies selected by the Department of Energy for an award as part of its bold decadal vision for delivering commercial fusion.
About First Light Fusion: First Light Fusion is a pioneering, UK-based start-up leading Britain’s efforts in the race to fusion. Founded a decade ago and based in Oxford, it is central to the UK’s efforts in developing inertial fusion energy, a rapidly advancing technology with the promise to deliver a reliable source of clean baseload electricity. First Light’s R&D has the potential to power UK innovation and technological capabilities in crucial sectors like defence and security. Its work, along with others in the fusion industry, is creating a new home for scientists, mechanical and electrical engineers, and AI experts at every level, from apprenticeships to PhD recipients.