Magnox Electric Ltd

Simulator key to reskilling effort

29 February 2008

Magnox South’s new training facility, known as the Deplanting Mock-up Simulator (DMS), has been launched. The DMS will serve as the cornerstone to worker reskilling as the company offers opportunities for employees to retrain for new roles in the decommissioning environment.

The new facility, which is 3500 square feet, stands in the deplanted turbine hall at Hinkley Point A. It is a ‘scenario based’ simulator for deplanting and decommissioning technicians, with a full scale replica of the common engineering spaces that will be deactivated and deplanted as part of the decommissioning process.

Philip Parker, Human Resources Director said: “Through the use of actual work procedures, replicated plant systems and simulated abnormal events, the DMS mirrors actual working environments. This is ‘as real as it gets’ learning and is core to our reskilling programme.”

The project makes use of experienced peer-equivalent tutors, known as ‘Worker Trainers’, who share their knowledge with fellow Magnox South employees. Nominees from across the southern sites are currently undergoing training at the nearby Decommissioning Skills Centre in Cannington to prepare for the role.

Launching the simulator, Magnox South Managing Director Ken Powers said: “This excellent new facility will help ensure our employees possess the necessary knowledge and understanding to meet future decommissioning challenges and self perform work across our sites.”