The University of Derby is recognised by Times Higher Education as one of the top 250 young universities in the world. We are an established and powerful regional university, and our profile and influence continues to grow at pace, both nationally and internationally. Skills and employer engagement is central to our work as an early adopter of higher and degree apprenticeships, being one of two universities nationally with apprenticeships from level 2 to level 7.

We are trusted by our students and stakeholders to deliver excellence in learning and teaching, which is underpinned by internationally recognised, applied research. Our knowledge exchange, innovation, and skills development activities positively impact on society, industry, and the environment.

The University’s 2018-2030 Strategic Framework, launched in June 2018, signalled a new chapter for our institution. It provided staff and stakeholders with clarity over our direction of travel and raised the bar in terms of our institutional ambitions. Our strategic promise is that ‘Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, staff and region’, and this is at the heart of our involvement in the newly created Rolls-Royce Nuclear Skills Academy.

To build on Rolls-Royce’s 50-year history of submarine engineering in Derby, a Nuclear Skills Academy has been created, dedicated to nuclear training within Derby city. This is a collaboration between the University of Derby, Rolls-Royce Plc, the National College for Nuclear, and the Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (NAMRC).

The Nuclear Skills Academy will meet Rolls-Royce’s current and future need for world-class, technical talent, maintaining and growing this unique and substantial centre of nuclear engineering expertise, underpinned by uncompromising standards of quality and excellence.

This is an exciting time for the University as we continue to develop our strategy of building and sustaining capacity in six thematic areas, including data science and net zero, leading to more focused investment, greater knowledge, and enhanced reputation. The University of Derby’s applied research expertise in advanced materials, manufacturing and data science will ensure the curriculum and learning experience across all levels meets and surpasses the exacting standards required from the nuclear and defence industries.

A physical nuclear skills academy based at the iHub, on Derby’s Infinity Park, will complement the existing innovation facilities at Rolls-Royce and the NAMRC. These skills are vital to sustaining cutting-edge innovation activity and continuous development and implementation of new technology and techniques.

The new apprenticeships, designed and delivered by the University of Derby, are:

• Nuclear Engineering Degree Apprenticeship
• Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship
• Manufacturing Technician Apprenticeship
• Advanced Engineering Technician Apprenticeship

We are seeking to fill several roles, across both academic and professional services, to support, lead and deliver on this exciting opportunity for our city and region.