Grŵp Llandrillo Menai ready to power North Wales’ nuclear future by leading delivery of world-class skills and training
Grŵp Llandrillo Menai has pledged its support to developing the skilled workforce needed for Rolls-Royce’s proposed small modular nuclear reactors at Wylfa on Ynys Môn, ensuring North Wales is ready to meet the demands of this transformational project.
The announcement, made by the Prime Minister at Coleg Menai’s Llangefni campus today (13th November), cements North Wales' position as a national powerhouse for low carbon energy production. It potentially marks the beginning of a series of net-zero energy generation investments on the island and across the wider region.
Grŵp Llandrillo Menai’s campuses have been at the heart of the nuclear skills agenda for more than 15 years, having worked with Horizon Nuclear Power, Magnox, and a wide range of supply chain partners. Its sector-leading facilities include the Energy Centre and the Centre for Infrastructure, Skills and Technology (CIST), both at Llangefni, as well as the state-of-the-art Engineering centre in Rhyl that was developed in partnership with RWE.
On both a local and national level, Grŵp Llandrillo Menai works with industry partners such as RWE, Engie, Morlais, NRS, and SPEN to provide training and skills across the low carbon energy sectors such as offshore wind; solar and hydrogen. The return of nuclear energy to Ynys Môn will complement existing and future low carbon projects on the island, and support the national energy infrastructure.
The Grŵp’s expertise, and its long-term relationships with industry and Government partners, mean it is uniquely positioned to help shape and deliver the skills, training and supply chain capacity needed for energy projects on Ynys Môn and the wider north-west Wales region.
Aled Jones-Griffith, Chief Executive of Grŵp Llandrillo Menai, said
“We welcome the long-awaited announcement that Wylfa has been selected as the site for the new small modular reactors. This marks a pivotal moment for the prosperity of North Wales, opening up significant employment opportunities for our local communities and future generations. It’s an exciting development not only for Ynys Môn, but for the whole of North Wales, with the potential to transform our regional economy for decades to come”
“At Grŵp Llandrillo Menai, the way we work is just as important as the work we do. Partnership and collaboration are at the heart of our approach, and our strong track record reflects the close, long-standing relationships we’ve built with our communities, industry, public sector, and partners across the region. Our goal is simple but powerful - to improve people’s futures and, in doing so, strengthen the prosperity and vitality of our economy and communities.
“We are ready to build on these existing partnerships, and to create new ones, to ensure our provision continues to meet the skills and training needs of this project throughout its lifetime.”
Dr Siôn Peters-Flynn, Principal of Coleg Menai and Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor, added,
“Key to the success of the Wylfa SMRs will be the contribution of the regional workforce. A central component of this project must be a substantial, sustained commitment to the education and training of local people, in particular local young people. It is vital that this project supports the regional economy and enables local businesses and individuals to access pathways to well-paid work and sustainable careers.”
“The success of a project such as this hinges on its ability to have local communities buy into and drive its development. Helping local people acquire the skills they need to fill the wide range of job roles involved in delivering and operating a facility such as Wylfa, is vitally important.”
