Fit For Nuclear (F4N) is a unique service to help UK manufacturing companies get ready to bid for work in the nuclear supply chain.

F4N lets companies measure their operations against the standards required to supply the nuclear industry – in new build, operations and decommissioning – and take the necessary steps to close any gaps.

F4N has been developed by the Nuclear AMRC with the support of its top tier partners, including nuclear new build developers and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority. These industry leaders are using F4N to identify potential companies for their own supply chains.

We are currently working with stakeholders to further develop the F4N programme and provide additional support to UK manufacturers. We work with NOF Energy and the Energy Industries Council to help their members from across the energy sector to become Fit For Nuclear. We are also working with the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult to launch the Fit 4 Offshore Renewables programme and help UK manufacturers enter the growing market for offshore wind power.

Who can take part?
As well as the Nuclear AMRC’s core area of high-precision mechanical engineering, F4N also covers companies which can supply control and instrumentation, electricals, and other manufactured components for nuclear plant construction and operation, as well as the specialised requirements of decommissioning.

More than 900 companies have now completed the online F4N assessment, with most receiving ongoing support and development from the team. Around 130 are currently granted F4N after putting their action plan into practice – see our directory of F4N companies for details and case studies, or F4N Connect for a fully searchable database of nuclear-ready suppliers.

F4N Connect

Participating companies range from contract manufacturers with no nuclear experience aiming to take a first step into the sector, to established suppliers wanting to benchmark their position and drive business excellence.

F4N is designed for businesses with 10 or more employees or with a turnover of £1.6 million and upwards, as the principles of the programme are more difficult to apply to microenterprises.  Microenterprises with the potential to offer a niche product or service to the civil nuclear sector should still get in touch to discuss how F4N can help.

If you have any questions about the F4N programme or would like an informal discussion about whether it is right for your business, contact the team at f4n@namrc.co.uk.

To start your F4N journey, go to: f4n.namrc.co.uk

The F4N journey

Fit For Nuclear is not a formal qualification, but a journey of business improvement. The process typically takes 12–18 months. We will support you through every step, but the F4N journey will demand commitment and drive from your senior management team.

To help you prepare and understand the level of detail required, we recommend that you download the F4N NCQ and online self-assessment guidance (pdf) before starting.

1. Nuclear capability questionnaire.
Complete an initial nuclear capability questionnaire through the F4N online tool. This will help us understand how we can best support your business.

2. Online self-assessment.
The full F4N online self-assessment covers six key categories of business operation and performance, with 10 multiple-choice questions in each category.

3. Site verification visit.
You will receive an initial rating, based on the information you have provided. If you meet the minimum standard, your F4N industrial advisor will contact you to arrange a visit to your company to review and verify your answers.

4. Action plan.
Your industrial advisor will support you as you create an action plan to close any gaps in performance.

5. Programme reviews.
Your industrial advisor will arrange regular meetings to discuss your progress through your action plan, and update you on the latest news and opportunities in the nuclear market.

6. Nuclear checklist.
Nuclear buyers have specific expectations in addition to the usual business standards. By working through the nuclear checklist, you will assess your readiness to meet these expectations and identify any areas for further development.

7. Pre-grant visit.
As you near the end of your action plan, your industrial advisor will visit to review your progress, and work with you to prepare your case for the F4N granting panel.

8. F4N granted & ongoing support.
Once the granting panel is satisfied that you can meet all the standards, we will grant Fit For Nuclear for a period of three years, and add you to our online directory of F4N companies. You can use the F4N hallmark in your own marketing, and will have other opportunities to promote your business through the Nuclear AMRC including the F4N Connect portal. Your industrial advisor will visit you twice a year to ensure that your business is maintaining F4N standards, and to help you access ongoing support.

To start your F4N journey, go to: f4n.namrc.co.uk