28 Apr 2009 : Column 1156W
Atomic Weapons Establishment: Recruitment
Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) scientists, (b) engineers and (c) technicians the Atomic Weapons Establishment plans to recruit in the next five years; and what their areas of expertise will be. [271265]
Mr. Quentin Davies: Based on current contract assumptions and subject to any change in priorities, AWE plc is planning to recruit in the order of 110 scientists, 160 engineers and 180 technicians over the next five years. The areas of expertise are diverse, and will include computer, measurement and material science; decommissioning and waste management; facility design and operations; manufacturing; systems engineering; project management; assurance, and IT/telecommunications.
Comment from Peter Burt:
Comparable figures from Novembr 2006 were 60 scientists, 180 engineers, and 50 technical support personnel in each of the next two years (Alan Simpson PQ, 7 November 2006 Column 1449W)