French nuclear firm Areva Friday said it has signed key nuclear skills development agreements in South Africa.
At a ceremony with French President, Nicolas Sarkozy and South African President, Thabo Mbeki, Areva's chief executive, Anne Lauvergeon and Nesca's chief executive Rom Adam, signed an agreement that will see Areva's support for engineering and nuclear skills development extended and increased.
ARECSA Human Capital, a joint venture between Areva and Necsa will increase training in technology and energy of disadvantaged South Africans, underlining the company's commitment to government's ASGISA and JIPSA initiatives.
Future cooperation between Areva and necsa also extends to the training of artisans through the Necsa Artisan Training Center and a Technical Training Center, which reopened this year to address the needs for artisans in the broader nuclear industry.
These agreements support Areva's initiatives aiming at bridging the gap in nuclear skills necessary to build and maintain South Africa's Nuclear Program.
This year, Areva, in partnership with North Western University (NWU), will commence nuclear project management training at the university.
"Skills are critical if South Africa's nuclear industry is to succeed. Today we have extended our support to the Joint Initiative on Priority Skills Acquisition (JIPSA), and made another strong commitment to this vital area of the South African government's economic policy," Anne Lauvergeon said.