HUMAN RESOURCES CHALLENGES IN THE NUCLEAR INDUSTRY (KNOWLEDGE RETENTION AND TRANSFER (KRT)) IN THE UNITED KINGDOM (UK) AS REFERENCE

Abstract

Purpose: The objective of this paper is to examine the relationship between theories on Knowledge Retention and Transfer (KRT) and practices currently established in the UK nuclear industry and analyze the effectiveness of these practices in the context of the theories. It further examines the current labour market issues around the UK nuclear industry and look closely at the supply and demand side of it, focusing on expert workers such as engineers, technicians and scientists and further examine the key concept about theories and ideas of knowledge management and KRT in particular.

Methodology: This research is based mainly on the information gathered from secondary sources. The methodology adopted in this research is the doctrinal method. Materials to be relied on includes secondary sources; books, energy and management related academic journals, websites from Professional bodies, publications merely related to industry, official documents and statistical information and other publications by scholars in the Nuclear energy field are relied on. 

Findings: This research found that the UK nuclear industry will require significant number of new highly skilled and qualified workers in the near future. Due to the age profile of the nuclear workforce, industry should focus on the retention of existing employees in order to transfer tacit knowledge. While focusing on knowledge transfer more attention will be paid to transfer of tacit knowledge. The main reason for doing this is the fact that most organizational knowledge is tacit or rooted in it and its transfer represents the biggest challenge for organisation.

Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: This study contributes to knowledge that, by giving Scholarships and funding alternatives for the students and teachers interested in the nuclear industry and grants for practical training in the nuclear industry for the purpose of knowledge retention and transfer in the UK Nuclear Industry. It is further recommended that additional HRM activities in support of the complex staff development system is needed for actual knowledge Retention and Transfer