The Skills4Nuclear project, funded by the Euratom programme (Grant agreement ID: 101213280), aims to address workforce and skill shortages in EU nuclear fission and fusion sectors by establishing a long-term collaborative framework that integrates industry, research and training bodies. Its primary goal is to ensure the safe and efficient use of current and future nuclear technologies, including Small Modular Reactors, by fostering industry-driven workforce development and enhancing capacity-building in nuclear safety, waste management, decommissioning, radiation protection and medical applications.
During the project’s lifetime (March 2025 – March 2028) S4N will
- Create a European Forum for Nuclear Workforce and Skills to monitor workforce needs
- Ensure alignment between E&T and the needs of the industry (including the latest technology developments)
- Develop a Nuclear Skills Strategy to attract, retain, reskill and upskill workers
A key project outcome is the creation of a European Forum for Nuclear Workforce and Skills, which will monitor workforce needs, identify emerging skills gaps and continuously update training programs. This forum will serve as a central body ensuring Europe maintains skilled nuclear workforce capable of meeting future challenges. Collaboration of industry and educational institutions will ensure that training curricula are aligned with the latest technological advancements and safety standards.
The project also includes the development of a Nuclear Skills Strategy, a multi-annual roadmap guiding efforts to attract, retrain, upskill and reskill professionals for the nuclear sector. The strategy will promote a fair shift to nuclear energy, prioritizing diversity, inclusion and gender balance. A pilot action based on this strategy will be implemented in Poland.
Another significant outcome is the implementation of reskilling and upskilling programs enabling workers from other industries, such as fossil fuels, to transition into nuclear roles. These programs will prepare the workforce for advanced technologies like SMRs and fusion with a strong focus on safety and innovation.
The project will also develop a series of recommendations and tools aimed at attracting more people to the nuclear sector. This will include broad range of tools which will be tested via a small pilot project and then made available to the wider nuclear communities.
- Project Management (WP1): Oversees coordination, timelines, and delivery of all project activities to ensure objectives are met efficiently.
- European Forum for Nuclear Workforce & Skills (WP2): Gathers data on the nuclear workforce, sets guidelines for national assessments, and establishes a European forum for collaboration.
- Communication & Attractiveness (WP3): Promotes the project through strong communication and creates tools to make the nuclear sector more appealing, especially to young people.
- Education, Training & Re-Skilling (WP4): Reviews current training programmes, develops new multidisciplinary courses, and identifies opportunities for upskilling and reskilling.
- Strategic Foresight & Funding Opportunities (WP5): Explores future funding options and strategies to enhance the cost-effectiveness of nuclear skills initiatives.
- Nuclear Skills Strategy (WP6): Identifies current and future skill gaps, formulates a comprehensive skills strategy, and tests it through pilot projects for improvement.
