By Sharif Narouz, Programme Director, Future Materials Campus (FMC), AWE
The projected outlook for the UK’s construction and manufacturing sectors is something of a mixed picture. Even though 2025 still predicts modest growth, there are significant challenges up ahead. Construction continues to grapple with falling employment levels while manufacturing output has slipped, falling 0.9% between March and April this year.[1]
Last month, however, the Government announced its Strategic Defence Review, which included pledging £15bn of investment into the UK’s sovereign nuclear warhead programme this Parliament. It signalled a focus to modernise the UK’s defence nuclear infrastructure and this renewed focus presents a unique opportunity for the UK’s industrial sectors to expand to their full potential.
Investing in the future
At AWE, we’re seeing this in action with the anticipated delivery of the Future Materials Campus (FMC) programme. AWE holds end-to-end responsibility for the design, manufacture and maintenance of the warheads that form an integral part of the UK’s nuclear deterrent, and as part of a multi-billion-pound, multi-year portfolio of infrastructure investment across the AWE estate, the FMC programme will provide the infrastructure and capabilities to support this critical national endeavour long into the future.
Through the process of replacing, upgrading and decommissioning existing infrastructure and equipment, the FMC is driving significant demand in the UK’s construction, manufacturing, engineering, science and technology sectors.
In the defence sector, this demand is only growing, spearheading the development of training programs, apprenticeships and more, to enhance the overall skill set of the UK’s industrial workforce. Large-scale programmes such as the FMC act as a real catalyst for UK construction and manufacturing, supporting job creation while contributing to local, regional and national economies.
Communication and collaboration
Of course, as with any major infrastructure project, there are also challenges to overcome. The FMC is a hugely complex and technical programme, requiring every single aspect of delivery – be it construction, safety, cost, logistics or labour – to be considered holistically as a balanced and coordinated set of works. That’s why adopting a coordinated, programmatic approach with our supply chain partners is crucial
We need to also remember the people and local communities on the ground. We have already spent significant time listening and engaging with local communities and will continue to do so. As with any large-scale project, this is an integral part of the approach to successful delivery, building trust and maintaining public confidence in the UK’s nuclear ambitions as well as the net positive benefits of investment in their local areas.
The future of the UK’s defence nuclear infrastructure is an exciting one, filled with opportunity for the construction and engineering sectors who sit at the heart of its delivery. Yet our ambitions cannot be realised without driving innovation.
At a time when the UK is focused on boosting economic growth and providing opportunities for the development of key skills and job creation, FMC stands to do both by ensuring its programmatic approach unites all suppliers and partners in a shared vision and purpose.
[1] https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/sn05206/#:~:text=Manufacturing%20is%20one%20of%20the%20production%20industries%2C,(gross%20value%20added)%20and%207.9%25%20of%20employment
