RAICo inspires next generation of decision makers at national event 

DELEGATES at a conference for young professionals in the UK’s nuclear sector were told, “You are our future.” 

Dr Kirsty Hewitson, Director of RAICo, addressed an audience of 700 at the Nuclear Institute Young Generation Network (YGN) annual seminar in Manchester. 

She explained the scope of work at RAICo – a unique initiative involving four organisations: the UK Atomic Energy Authority, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, Sellafield Ltd, and the University of Manchester. 

Dr Hewitson spoke of a shared ambition to inspire the next generation of robotics and AI experts by engaging with local communities, schools, and organisations such as the YGN. 

After creating a buzz by encouraging delegates to stand for a conference-wide selfie, Dr Hewitson told them: “You are our future—you will be our future roboticists and remote handling engineers. 

“You are our future decision-makers, and it’s crucially important that you understand the opportunities out there.” 

She later added: “Collaboration is at the heart of our purpose and values. Engagement with young people is critical to develop the necessary skills and talent pipeline that will deliver the future robotic and AI solutions.” 

“To schools, colleges, apprentices and graduates, we welcome conversations about how we can help you in exciting and inspiring the next generation or supporting career pathways.” 

The YGN seminar was held at Diecast in Manchester on Thursday, October 31. 

The keynote speech was delivered by Mark Rouse, Skills Director of the Nuclear Skills Team at the Department for Energy, Security and Net Zero. 

He was joined by a range of additional speakers, including Tomoyuki Yamakami, International Relations Lead at Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, who spoke about lessons learned from the Fukushima Daiichi incident; Catherine Harvey, Head of the Space Micro-Reactor Campaign at Rolls-Royce; and Richard Kipling, Technical Director for Waste and Characterisation at Assystem. 

The YGN is the young members’ network of the Nuclear Institute (NI), the professional body and learned society for the nuclear sector in the UK. 

Any member of the NI under the age of 37 becomes part of the Young Generation Network, which has existed for more than 20 years and consists of approximately 1,700 members. 

RAICo exhibited two working examples of a quadruped robot, Spot, which generated considerable interest among delegates. 

Among those who visited the exhibition stand was Molly Hodgson, an apprentice at Nuclear Waste Services in Cumbria. 

She said: “The robots on display at the RAICo stand were awesome – it was so interesting to see how technology is advancing and how it can be applied in the industry now and in the future. 

“Events like this allow us to network, connect, have conversations, share experiences, and learn more about the field.” 

Sarah D’Lima, Chair of the YGN, said: “I was delighted with this year’s seminar; the level of engagement from delegates was fantastic, and our roster of speakers were thought-provoking and inspirational in equal measure. 

“Having RAICo participate as an exhibitor, with Kirsty as a guest speaker, certainly elevated the event. It was clear throughout the day that there was significant interest in the collaboration, what it does—and, of course, the robots on display.”