Ever thought about a career in the nuclear industry?
8
reasons why now might be the right time...
Written by Callum Thomas, interviews by Monica Mwanje, Co-founders, Inclusion and Diversity in Nuclear
I have been working in the nuclear industry for the last 11 years and, I have to admit, before joining the industry it was never even on my radar as a potential career path. I didn’t really know anything about nuclear and I assumed that only nuclear scientists and engineers were welcome. How wrong I was!
I started my career after graduating with a Business and Finance degree working for a large recruitment company in London, where I stayed for 10 years and learned my trade. In 2009 I set up Thomas Thor Associates, a recruitment, executive search and HR consulting organisation dedicated to the global nuclear industry. Now there are more than 80 of us in Thomas Thor, spread over three continents working with organisations in the nuclear industry to help them build teams across a wide variety of disciplines including management, engineering, commercial, safety, design, construction, project management, project control and many more.
In 2019, together with Monica Mwanje, we co-founded the not-for-profit initiative ‘’Diversity & Inclusion in UK Nuclear’’ to support the industry. I have been fortunate enough to work with hundreds of organisations and thousands of people from all over the world and I have gained amazing insights into the career opportunities available in the nuclear industry. This may be the first time you have ever thought about this, so here are eight reasons why you may like to look a bit closer at a career in the nuclear industry:
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1
NUCLEAR ENERGY IS A MAJOR PART OF ACHIEVING NET-ZERO2050
We are in the middle of a worldwide collaboration to achieve the shared ambition of net-zero carbon emissions on our planet by the year 2050. This will mean building as much wind and solar energy infrastructure as possible as well as using every other method we have to generate clean electricity. Nuclear energy has an important role to play as it is a very low carbon source of electricity.
Every year more and more people and governments that care about the environment are realising that wind + nuclear + solar is the way to a clean energy future. There are lots of other pieces to this puzzle including hydro power, carbon capture and storage, batteries and many other emerging technologies that could be part of the solution, but nothing meets the criteria of being a proven clean technology that can be scaled up quickly quite like nuclear. A strong part of my purpose in life is to contribute towards net-zero 2050 and I feel that I am making a difference as part of the nuclear industry creating clean energy.
2
IT IS A GROWING INDUSTRY WITH LOTS OF EXCITING CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
There are currently around 65,000 people working directly in the nuclear industry in the UK (Source: Nuclear Industry Association Jobs Map), and that number is predicted to increase over the coming years.
There is a new nuclear power plant being built by EDF in Somerset right now that will generate 7% of the UK’s electricity, with at least another one or two large nuclear power plants in the planning stages. In addition, the government is putting a lot of funding into development of new advanced nuclear energy technologies by companies such as Rolls-Royce. Then there are the decommissioning and environmental remediation projects happening at old nuclear sites that are no longer operating, which employ thousands of people.
The UK’s fleet of submarines is being renewed and this will create thousands of jobs in the coming decade. Finally, if you really want to blow your mind with science, do a google search for the Culham Centre for Fusion Energy. The UK is a world leader in Nuclear Fusion, which is recreating what happens inside the sun to create energy here on earth! As well as the organisations whose names you may already know, there are hundreds of small companies doing all kinds of creative and entrepreneurial work. My company Thomas Thor is just one example of a small business built on an entrepreneurial vision in the nuclear industry.
3
LONG TERM JOB SECURITY AND GOOD EARNING POTENTIAL
Building new nuclear power stations takes about 10 years, then they operate for about 60 years before being decommissioned which takes another 50 years. Research projects can have 20-30 year schedules and some of the environmental remediation projects have plans that stretch over 100 years! This means that the nuclear industry does not suffer anywhere near as much from economic cycles compared to industries like technology and finance. An added bonus is that because the safety and quality standards are so high in nuclear, the skills and experience you develop are easily transferable to other sectors.
The need for highly skilled people means that the average annual earnings in the industry are around £60k per year. Of course, the starting pay is much lower than this, but many career paths within the nuclear industry allow for progression to this salary level or higher.
4
EMPHASIS ON BUILDING A SUPPORTIVE AND COLLABORATIVE CULTURE
It was a very welcome surprise to me when joining the nuclear industry to experience the culture of support. At the core of the nuclear industry is the ‘’safety culture’’, which means that everyone in the industry shares the same focus of maintaining a safe working environment. This has led to a unique culture of working together and supporting one another, both within organisations and across the whole industry. There are lots of industry events and associations as well as formal and informal mentoring and coaching programmes.
5
COMMITMENTS TO INCLUSION AND DIVERSITY ARE SERIOUS
Historically, the nuclear industry has not been very diverse, but that is changing now. The industry is hiring thousands of people every year and a core objective is to ensure that those joining the industry reflect all communities. Organisations are investing in training and development to build more inclusive cultures and creating inclusive recruitment processes. The government has set targets on gender diversity in the sector (40% by 2030). Our focus within Diversity & Inclusion in UK Nuclear is expanding on this commitment to consider all other forms of diversity in addition to gender, as well as working on inclusivity that is needed to maintain a stable, happy, safe and healthy workforce.
6
IT OPENS THE DOOR TO INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
The nuclear industry is truly global. Many UK firms have significant operations and projects in other countries. Therefore, if you have an interest in combining your career with exploring the world by living and working in other countries then this is another benefit to consider. Because the industry is so international it is common to work in joint projects with people and organisations from other countries. I have personally found this cultural diversity to be an amazing source of learning, about news ways of working as well as different cultures.
7
WORK IN DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATION OF CUTTING EDGE TECHNOLOGIES
There is much cutting edge technology being developed in the industry, in areas such as robotics and virtual reality. Many people, if they even think about nuclear, imagine that it is an old fashioned industry. The reality is that there are many projects that are pushing the boundaries of science and developing new applications.
8
THE YOUNG GENERATION NETWORK HAS 1500 MEMBERS AND IS VERY ACTIVE
This is an incredibly active group with the mission ‘’To encourage, develop and inspire the UK’s early career nuclear professionals, and ensure that their voice is heard in shaping the future of our sector’’. The YGN provides encouragement, development and engagement opportunities to the young generation within the sector and, as part of the Nuclear Institute, they have an important voice in the industry. One of the interesting initiatives they are currently leading is the preparation for the COP26 Global Climate Conference that will be hosted in Glasgow in 2021.
Find out more about this at: https://www.nuclearinst.com/News-Insights/ygn-futuresight-countdown-to-cop26
Apprenticeship schemes were described to me as a way to 'learn and earn' at the same both from a professional and personal perspective.
CURIOUS ABOUT HOW TO JOIN THE NUCLEAR SECTOR?
GetIntoNuclear that provides free information and advice about working in the nuclear industry (www.getintonuclear.com). Alternatively, feel free to contact me through LinkedIn and my colleagues and I would be happy to provide any further information. Diversity and Inclusion in UK Nuclear has a website (https://idnuclear.com), a LinkedIn company page that you can follow or you can contact us at info@idnuclear.com.
CURIOUS ABOUT CURRENT CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN THE INDUSTRY?
GetIntoNuclear that provides free information and advice about working in the nuclear industry (www.getintonuclear.com). Alternatively, feel free to contact me through LinkedIn and my colleagues and I would be happy to provide any further information. Diversity and Inclusion in UK Nuclear has a website (https://idnuclear.com), a LinkedIn company page that you can follow or you can contact us at info@idnuclear.com.
CURIOUS ABOUT HOW THE UK IS INVESTING IN NUCLEAR?
GetIntoNuclear that provides free information and advice about working in the nuclear industry (www.getintonuclear.com). Alternatively, feel free to contact me through LinkedIn and my colleagues and I would be happy to provide any further information. Diversity and Inclusion in UK Nuclear has a website (https://idnuclear.com), a LinkedIn company page that you can follow or you can contact us at info@idnuclear.com.
Jobs include: Construction Manager, Project Management Apprentice, Human Resources Material Science, Risk Practitioner, Engineering Maintenance Apprentice, Geosciences Quality Assurance, Business Development Manager, Electro Technical Apprentice, Cyber Security, Behavioural Insight, Civil Engineer, Industrial Safety, Mechanical Engineer, Process Engineer, Commercial, Human Factors Consultants, Marketing Coordinator…
FRANCESCA BRANDFORD-ADAMS
CURRENT ROLE
Senior Consultant (Nuclear Risk): Nuclear and non-nuclear risk strategy consulting
QUALIFICATIONS
MChem (Hons) Masters in Chemistry with Professional Experience (University of Warwick)
HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED IN NUCLEAR?
I have worked within nuclear for 5 years & I am currently in my second role
WHAT DID YOU KNOW ABOUT NUCLEAR / WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO JOIN THE SECTOR?
As part of my Master’s degree, we touched on what was then the plans to build a new power station in Somerset (Hinkley Point C). After graduating I seized the opportunity to apply my skillset in the industry.
IS THERE A PIECE OF ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE TO SOMEONE CONSIDERING JOINING THE INDUSTRY?
Research. The industry is constantly growing and changing and so there’s always a lot to read up on!
GEORGE GARNER
CURRENT ROLE
Project Management Apprentice, Cavendish Nuclear / Youth Voice Network Chair
I focus mostly on continual business improvement, managing small projects and business winning objectives. I also focus on delivering STEM initiatives in the local community, providing valuable insights to our sectors next generation of apprentices and graduates.
QUALIFICATIONS
Level 4 Project Management Apprenticeship Standard
(Currently working towards)
• APM Project Fundamentals Qualification
• Level 3 General engineering (B-tech double diploma)
• Core Mathematics
• Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)
• 8 GCSEs (Grade A-C)
HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED IN NUCLEAR?
I joined the nuclear industry in 2018 as a Project Controls Apprentice. 2.5 years later I am now in my second role as a Project Management Apprentice.
WHAT DID YOU KNOW ABOUT NUCLEAR / WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO JOIN THE SECTOR?
When I started my knowledge on the subject was minimal – I knew the basics from GCSEs, but not much else. Working in nuclear runs in my family, but I wasn’t sure that I wanted to work in the sector myself. Following a work placement at Sellafield Ltd (aged 15) I knew that the industry was where I wanted to be. The insight into innovation and experience you gain is second to none.
IS THERE A PIECE OF ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE TO SOMEONE CONSIDERING JOINING THE INDUSTRY?
Working in the nuclear industry provides invaluable transferable skills, it pushes you out of your comfort zone while still providing you the support you need to develop. My advice would be to grasp the opportunities that are open to you and take the opportunity to work on exciting projects and broaden your horizons.
Inclusion and Diversity in Nuclear aims to provide useful, practical and balanced information and support around D&I.
Find out more about nuclear at:
https://idnuclear.com or
email info@idnuclear.com
