Industry

For over a decade the NIA has released an annual Jobs Map for the UK civil nuclear industry. The Jobs Map displays clearly the range and diversity of companies across the UK and the number of employees engaged in the civil nuclear industry.

There are over 61,000 jobs across the UK civil nuclear supply chain covering a wide variety of expertise, from power station operators to new build vendors and developers, to decommissioning and waste management, and the nuclear fuel cycle.

This tool is designed to give Government and decision makers up-to-date and accurate figures, reflecting the significant contribution NIA members and their employees make to the UK economy.

View the Jobs Map

Not all roles mean you need to have a nuclear physics degree – the nuclear sector offers a range of technical apprenticeships as well as graduate positions which can build the skills base ready for new build projects and ongoing decommissioning work. Careers are not limited to just technical and engineering roles either, with demand also in legal, finance and communications roles.

The Nuclear Skills Strategy Group (NSSG) is the employer-led nuclear industry skills lead, comprising employers, government departments and trade unions. Its Strategic Plan sets out the key issues driving the skills needs of the UK’s nuclear sector now and in the future.

The Nuclear Career Pathways interactive platform gives you information on a range of roles available in the nuclear sector, whether you are in education and thinking of your first job, or have experience in another sector, or are already working in nuclear and exploring your potential career path.

Apprenticeships are a structured training programme which provide the opportunity to learn and earn at the same time and are a nationally recognised qualification. They enable you to gain real responsibilities in your job, as well as developing confidence, communication and organisational skills.

Once an apprenticeship is completed a majority of apprentices stay in employment with over two thirds remaining with the same employer. There is also an opportunity to achieve a higher qualification such as a Foundation or Honours Degree.

The nuclear sector also offers Degree Apprenticeships, which allow people to combine the academic study from a traditional university degree and the practical experience and wider employment skills from working in a nuclear environment, vital for career success.

British universities have been teaching in the field of nuclear science and engineering for more than 50 years, and courses are taught at many universities.

These courses have developed to meet today’s needs and deal with all aspects of nuclear energy and radioactivity, from nuclear reactors to astrophysics, radiological protection and applications within medical and life sciences.

British universities also undertake both fundamental and applied research work on nuclear science and engineering topics, and in many instances are amongst the world leaders.

Businesses across the nuclear sector are looking for bright and passionate graduates across engineering, science and commercial operations. There will be job opportunities in a wide range of roles, not only in science related jobs.

nucleargraduates is a comprehensive training programme developed to attract the best graduates into the industry. The programme, which lasts two years, gives each graduate a salary and a series of placements across parts of the nuclear sector, in the UK and internationally.