East Midlands set to be national leader for fusion and clean energy skills

Bassetlaw District Council, on behalf of the STEP Fusion Skills Collaborative, has appointed clean energy consultancy Opergy Limited to lead the development of a business case for new skills development opportunities that will support the STEP Fusion programme at West Burton, Nottinghamshire.

Funded by East Midlands Combined County Authority, Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority, the UK Atomic Energy Authority, and UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd (UKIFS), the commission marks a key milestone in establishing the East Midlands as a centre of excellence for fusion and clean energy skills.

The project will focus on assessing future skills demand from the STEP Fusion programme and other planned developments in the region. STEP Fusion is a nationally significant infrastructure project led by UKIFS to build a prototype fusion powerplant that will demonstrate net energy, fuel self-sufficiency, and a viable route to commercial fusion.

The commission will map current capacity with the needs of STEP Fusion and build the business case for investing in the training and education needed to close the gap. The goal is to make sure people in the areas surrounding West Burton can access the high-quality jobs created by STEP Fusion and other clean energy and advanced technology projects coming to the region.

Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, said: “Fusion has the potential to transform our region — not just in how we generate power, but in how we create skilled, long-term jobs that people in our region can access. The STEP Fusion Skills Collaborative is taking a forward-thinking approach by developing the partnerships and programmes now that will make sure the East Midlands is ready to lead the clean-energy revolution.”

The STEP Fusion programme is expected to create 8,500 highly skilled, full-time jobs across the supply chain meaning it is vital for Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, and South Yorkshire to be poised to take advantage of this emerging industry.

This work follows launch of the STEP Fusion Skills Collaborative, a partnership between the UK Atomic Energy Authority, UK Industrial Fusion Solutions, East Midlands Combined County Authority, South Yorkshire Combined Authority, Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority, regional authorities, and training providers. The Collaborative is part of a 20-year vision to grow fusion energy skills, research, and supply chain capability in the region.

The STEP Fusion Skills Collaborative business case development project represents one of the first tangible steps in delivering that ambition, translating strategic intent into coordinated action and real opportunities for people, businesses, and education providers across the East Midlands. The outcomes from the project are expected in Spring 2026.

Cllr Charles Adams, Cabinet Member for Business and Skills at Bassetlaw District Council, said: “This work represents a crucial next step in the collective ambition to make our region a national hub for fusion energy skills. The appointment of Opergy will help us bring together the right partners and evidence to build the case for vital future investment. One of our key priorities at the start of this project was to ensure that local people and businesses benefit from new training and employment opportunities linked to STEP Fusion, and this is the beginning of this journey.”

Debbie Kempton, Director of Engineering Programme at STEP Fusion, said: “STEP Fusion is not just a technological challenge – it’s a national endeavour that depends on people, skills, and collaboration. This work by the STEP Fusion Skills Collaborative and Opergy is so important to ensure that the surrounding regions have the capability and partnerships to deliver something revolutionary.
“By investing in skills now, we can create opportunities for local communities and secure the workforce needed to realise the promise of fusion energy.”

Johnathan Reynolds, Project Director and Managing Director of Opergy Group, said: “We’re delighted to be working with the STEP Fusion Skills Collaborative to take this next step for West Burton. Our role is to help create the evidence base, partnerships, and business case that will attract future investment — while supporting immediate skills delivery aligned to fusion and major infrastructure projects.

“We’ve assembled a specialist team with deep expertise drawn from national programmes such as Hinkley Point C, Sizewell C, Destination Nuclear, and the UK’s Clean Energy Jobs Plan. This includes our recent success in delivering the Skills Mapping Pilot for the North West, which has just secured £900,000 of Government investment. Together, we bring the insight and credibility to design a skills ecosystem that connects people, training providers, and employers across the Midlands to the opportunities of the fusion era.”