A major new training centre is being earmarked for the main Thurso campus of North Highland College.
The £6million-plus complex is being designed to help provide the engineering skills needed to complete the clean-up of Dounreay.
It is also intended to support the diversification of the far north economy to cope with the rundown of employment at the nuclear plant.
Outline planning consent is being sought for the extension to the rear of the Ormlie Road campus.
The scheme was initially conceived by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority as the Scottish counterpart to a nuclear skills academy established in Cumbria.
As well as providing skilled workers to complete the decommissioning of Dounreay, the NDA believes the new centre can also support new incoming industries, notably marine energy.
It has been working with NHC and Dounreay Site Restoration Limited to see the project through to completion.
Assistant principal Marcus Mennie said: “It’s a very exciting venture and is going to be a major boon for the area.”
The complex will contain a hi-tech computer area for students, a large, open-plan area for hands-on engineering work, and a new fabrication workshop.
Mr Mennie said the centre will enable the college to deliver a new type of training which is more closely suited to the needs of employers.
He said it would also improve facilities for local high school pupils and lead to improved links with other further education establishments such as Orkney College.
Mr Mennie said: “The primary focus will be on our established apprentice training to provide the skills needed for the decommissioning of Dounreay. But we’ll also be looking beyond that and try to ensure the skills are transferable.
“We’ll be offering our training facilities to any company planning to relocate to Caithness.”
The NDA’s Randall Bargelt yesterday welcomed the progress being made.
He said: “The development of a national academy, including a Scottish arm, is a significant step towards ensuring the UK has a sufficiently skilled workforce to carry out the nuclear decommissioning mission.”