Fit For Nuclear (F4N) was launched in 2011 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 was designed for companies which can supply mechanical engineering, control and instrumentation, electricals, and other manufactured components for nuclear plant construction and operation, as well as the specialised requirements of decommissioning.

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.

 

Impact

More than 1,000 companies have completed the online F4N assessment, with most receiving ongoing support and development. As of September 2024, more than 100 are granted F4N – see our directory of F4N companies for details and case studies.

To the end of September 2024, participating companies have reported that the F4N programme has helped them win more than £2.3 billion worth of new contracts in nuclear and other sectors, creating or safeguarding 3,973 jobs, and leveraging £66.6 million additional private investment.

Fit For other sectors

We have also worked with partners to take the Fit For model of supply chain development into other growing low-carbon sectors.

F4OR logoIn partnership with the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, we created Fit For Offshore Renewables (F4OR) to help UK manufacturers enter the growing market for offshore wind power. Since its launch in 2018, more than 60 manufacturers have been granted F4OR in a series of regional and national programmes.

To the end of September 2024, F4OR-granted companies have reported that the programme has helped them win more than £598 million worth of new contracts, creating or safeguarding more than 1,600 jobs, and leveraging £40 million private investment.

 

F4H2+CCUS logoWe have also developed a Fit For Hydrogen + CCUS programme, with a pilot supported by the Zero Carbon Humber Partnership over 2023-24.

 

 

F4N international

We have worked with industry partners in other countries to adapt the proven Fit For Nuclear model to support their domestic supply chains.

International initiatives include:

  • North America – in 2023-24, a pilot programme with EPRI involved 10 companies from the US and Canada.
  • United Arab Emirates – in 2018-19, we worked with the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation and local partners on a pilot programme involving six companies.