A new phase of work has begun to position the East Midlands as a major hub for fusion and clean energy talent. Bassetlaw District Council has commissioned Opergy Limited to prepare a business case outlining the skills development required to support the STEP Fusion programme at West Burton in Nottinghamshire.
The commission is backed by the East Midlands Combined County Authority, Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority, the UK Atomic Energy Authority, and UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd. It forms part of wider efforts to align regional training provision with the needs of large-scale clean energy and advanced technology projects.
Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, said: “Fusion has the potential to transform our region — not just in how we generate power, but in how we create skilled, long-term jobs that people in our region can access. The STEP Fusion Skills Collaborative is taking a forward-thinking approach by developing the partnerships and programmes now that will make sure the East Midlands is ready to lead the clean-energy revolution.”
The work will assess projected workforce demand associated with the prototype fusion power plant planned for West Burton. It will compare current training capacity with the specialist capabilities required and provide recommendations for investment in education and workforce development.
STEP Fusion is expected to stimulate around 8,500 skilled jobs across its supply chain, making workforce readiness a priority for Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, and South Yorkshire. The study will inform long-term planning across local authorities, training providers, and industry partners.
This work builds on the creation of the STEP Fusion Skills Collaborative, a regional partnership established to develop fusion energy skills and supply chain capabilities over the next two decades. Findings from the business case project are scheduled for release in Spring 2026.
