Strategic Leadership Academy

Managing your nuclear power plant for the long term

This programme is aimed at:

Managers
Researchers
Operators
Regulators
Academia

Overview

Successful leadership must be flexible and resilient. A virtual 2 week challenge aimed at developing nuclear leaders, this programme adopts an innovative two-fold approach to enhance participants knowledge and skills to ensure this flexibility, and facilitate developing leaders to take those skills back to their companies to promote organizational effectiveness.

We anticipate running the Strategic Leadership Academy, virtually in 2024.

A content-driven programme that will expand knowledge and awareness of the critical issues in plant life management (PLiM) and Long-term Operations (LTO) and give participants access to key leaders in the field alongside enhancing their holistic understanding of the many competing priorities facing nuclear leaders. In parallel, our challenge-driven, collaborative working environment will allow you to embed this knowledge and apply leadership skills in gamified situations based on real-life challenges faced by nuclear leaders in recent years.

This process will include the opportunity to receive constructive feedback from expert mentors as well as from peers, and participants will have the opportunity to deliver a final presentation to be judged by various key industry people at the conclusion of the programme. The aim of this innovative approach is to lead to sustainable change on the return to work, and to deliver to both participants and their employees maximum value from participation. A certificate will be awarded for successful completion of the programme.

Objectives

Curriculum

In order to ensure that this programme is effective in its aims, participation requires a high level of dedication.  Team work and mentorship are a strong focus of this programme. The course runs from 12:00 to 4:00 pm GMT every day (timing subject to change). There will be around 4 hours per day of formally scheduled virtual contact time: around 1 ½ hours per day of content delivery such as presentations, videos (including technical tours), interviews, and Q&A sessions; a large proportion of programme time will be dedicated to Working Groups, where participants will work closely over the two weeks with other professionals of varying backgrounds and organizational cultures; and a wide range of networking opportunities to interact with peers, nuclear leaders and expert mentors on an informal basis.   


To further participants' knowledge in the areas of LTO and PLiM, subject matter experts will deliver taught content in the following areas:
  • Regulatory and policy frameworks
  • Economics and market frameworks
  • Managing and improving your assets
  • Leadership in unexpected events
  • The human factor
  • Why should we operate long-term?
  • The ‘40 year’ decision: to improve, maintain or shut down
  • The long-term supply chain and other considerations

We will also ask you to complete a number of self-study and reflective exercises in the run up to the event such as:

  • Preparatory readings    
  • Reflecting on your company’s mission and values
  • Working with line-management to identify personal challenges to consider throughout your time at the Strategic Leadership Academy 
  • Interviewing one of the leaders of your company to ask about the key areas your specific company must consider in terms of leadership

Requirements

Applicants must provide evidence of meeting the following requirements:

  • Currently employed in the nuclear sector, with at least 3 years of relevant work experience;
  • Advanced University degree (Master degree or equivalent 4 years of work experience) in nuclear energy sciences related field;
  • Demonstrated academic or professional excellence and leadership potential with two recommendation letters;
  • Proficiency in English, particularly oral communication, is essential for effective participation in the Strategic Leadership Academy. Non-native English speaker will be asked to submit an English language certificate to demonstrate their language skills.  WNU may also request an online interview to ensure English proficiency in a virtual environment.

Selection places considerable weight on an applicant's demonstrated leadership potential. The aim of the selection process is to have a class of WNU Fellows composed of an internationally diverse mix of top professionals already in industry or government service. Applications from qualified women are encouraged. Gender balance and diversity are important for the World Nuclear University as these contribute to a broader collective perspective, consistently adding value to the programme and individual learning. There is no age limit and the typical average age of Fellows is 35.

The participation fee for this event is £1,500. 

Deadline

22 November 2022 for Company funded

04 November 2022 for IAEA TC funded

Venues

Testimonials