NAMTEC joins nuclear centre team

A TRAINING and information organisation has been hand-picked to become a founder member of the town's new Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre which was announced last week.

Rotherham's National Metals Technology Centre (NAMTEC) will provide technology and skills to the new centre, which will be based alongside the Advanced Manufacturing Park in Catcliffe.

Alan Partridge, NAMTEC'S chief executive officer, said: "NAMTEC is proud of becoming a founder member of this major initiative.

"The UK's nuclear programme is expected to create more than 4,500 jobs over the next 25 years and contribute to more than £1 billion a year to industry.

"We have been very active in helping to secure the nuclear centre for Yorkshire and promoting the nuclear new build programme."

NAMTEC is a not-for-profit organisation supported by Yorkshire Forward and the European Regional Development Fund.

It was established in 2002 to provide technical information and advice to metal manufacturing companies across the UK.

Mr Partridge added: "NAMTEC will be supporting the development and delivery of a nuclear manufacturing skills programme as well as continuing to support the development of the UK supply chain.

"We are looking forward to working with the NAMRC partners and with the wider nuclear supply chain in this very exciting venture."

The nuclear research centre is supported by £15 million of government funding and £10 million from Yorkshire Forward.

It will bring together university research and industrial expertise to develop manufacturing techniques and components for new nuclear power stations.

The research base will be led by the University of Sheffield in partnership with the University of Manchester and with Rolls-Royce as the lead partner.