SCK CEN Academy and Nuclear Academy from the Netherlands launch a brand-new summer school
Summer school aims to inspire recent graduates to pursue a career in the nuclear sector
The Belgium-based SCK CEN Academy and the Nuclear Academy (NRG Pallas and TU Delft) from the Netherlands are launching a new summer school entitled: ‘Your gateway to a career in nuclear’. “This Belgian-Dutch summer school will act in the same way as an 'amuse bouche' does for our taste buds. Our aim is to stimulate and inspire talented young people to pursue further specialist studies and/or take up a career in the nuclear sector,” said Michèle Coeck, Director of SCK CEN Academy.
The Netherlands is intending to build four new nuclear reactors and to keep the current nuclear power plant at Borssele in Zeeland open. The Belgian government aims to add 4 gigawatts of nuclear energy to the energy mix by extending existing capacity, on the one hand, and investing in the construction of new capacity on the other. What this means is that a sufficient quantity of specialist personnel will be needed to enable these two nuclear power programmes to become a reality. “It is vital that we increase interest in the nuclear sector as a career choice and take steps to make sure there is an influx of new personnel with technical profiles," said Michèle Coeck, Director of the SCK CEN Academy. “However, recent graduates lack a clear image of what exactly the nuclear sector entails. We want to change that by organising this Belgian-Dutch summer school.” As many as 40 interested people will have the opportunity to take part.
This summer school will not consist of dry educational packages or endless formulas, but a concise introduction to the nuclear sector – how a reactor works, the diversity of reactor types, an explanation of the nuclear fuel cycle, an overview of the Belgian and Dutch nuclear landscape – and, of course, the societal challenges involved, such as nuclear waste management. “All of this will be combined with mind-blowing visits to companies, because we believe that experiencing the sector in this way will remain firmly embedded in people's minds as well as their memory," said Michèle confidently. Amongst other locations, participants in the summer school will visit the site of the Belgian nuclear research centre SCK CEN, the nuclear power plant in Borssele and COVRA – the Dutch company responsible for the temporary storage of nuclear waste.
Job fairs
SCK CEN Academy and the Nuclear Academy are also organising two job fairs during the summer school: one in the Netherlands and one in Belgium, to which other companies and organisations within the nuclear sector will also be invited to come along and introduce themselves. “For those companies, this will be a unique opportunity to expand their network, while for the participants, it will be a chance to weigh up potential career opportunities – both on the Belgian and Dutch sides," concluded Michèle Coeck (SCK CEN Academy).
Who can register?
This summer school is aimed primarily at bachelor's and master's degree students - studying in Belgium or in The Netherlands - with a technical background (in disciplines such as physics, chemistry, engineering, AI or mathematics). Recent graduates will be preferred, but applications from PhD students and young professionals will also be welcome.
Do you have the kind of background we're looking for? Or do you know someone who does?
If so, put in your application or bring this registration page to their attention!
