South Africas plans to advance a new nuclear build programme are exposing a shortage of highly specialised welding, inspection and non-destructive testing NDT skills required for safety-critical nuclear infrastructure, according to the Southern African Institute of Welding SAIW.
Nuclear new-build projects require welds and inspections that comply with some of the most stringent integrity and assurance standards in global engineering. Shortfalls in certified skills can become high-risk contributors to construction delays, cost overruns and compliance failures, making skills readiness a decisive factor in project delivery.
The SAIW says it has been strengthening its nuclear-aligned capabilities in anticipation of future demand with particular focus on advanced NDT. Working with the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation NECSA, the institute has completed advanced upskilling of its internal NDT specialists as part of preparations linked to the proposed NECSA Centre of Excellence for NDT.
