Job market information
Finding out about nuclear
The nuclear industry is part of the broader science‐based sector represented by Cogent Sector Skills Council, which also includes chemicals, polymers, oil and gas, petroleum and pharmaceuticals industries. Most goods used by people in their homes, at work and in their everyday activities are products derived from the chemical, nuclear, oil and gas, petroleum and polymer industries. The combined industries represent nearly half a million people in the UK and are of huge economic and strategic importance to the UK.
The UK has 19 power generation reactors in operation and 15 nuclear powered submarines, with on-going demand for operation and maintenance extending to 2035. The growth area of nuclear industry activity in the UK is in decommissioning and clean up, with 21 reactors in decommissioning and two more due to enter this phase in the next two years.
British Nuclear Fuels dominates nuclear fuel processing in the UK. Activities span the entire nuclear cycle, from reactor design and fuel manufacture to nuclear site decommissioning and clean‐up of waste. It works with the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority to achieve its clean‐up programme.
Recently there have been significant shifts in thinking around nuclear power, as a crucial element of the green solution to security of energy supply. This shift is being driven by the need to reduce carbon emissions and dependence upon hydrocarbons for energy production. In the UK there are ambitious plans for nuclear power with indications of a broader programme of new build may extend beyond replacement of the existing nuclear power stations. Across the world, nuclear power provides 16% of global electricity requirements.
Key facts:
- Future skills needs can be resourced in the UK, but there will be engagement in the global supply chain.
- In the future, there will be an unprecedented world‐wide demand for nuclear expertise.
- The UK is the 12th highest nuclear generating country globally.
- The Royal Navy has 15 nuclear powered submarines in service.
- The last UK nuclear power station is due to close in 2035.
- There is an urgent need for an increase in vocational and technical skills, up to and including level 3.
- There is an on-going demand for the operation and maintenance of nuclear power facilities to 2035.
- There is an expectation that a programme of new build will be developed, so the industry is expected to grow and have high replacement demands.
Jobs in the industry range from: Technician support services, Manager process or maintenance, Monitor, Operations support worker, Science technician, Scientific engineer safety and environment, Supervisor monitoring, Supervisor production and maintenance.
Entry and progression
The industry will require a thousand new recruits every year if the current level of nuclear power generation is to be maintained to 2025 and beyond. The forecast requirement for new entrants to the nuclear industry by 2015 is between 3,400 and 11,500, while if early retirements occur, this could rise as high as 16,500. There are opportunities to enter the industry in the civil and defence sector. There are many ways into the industry:
- Straight from school or college and progress through operator and technician roles onwards to craftsperson status
- Through apprenticeships such as the apprenticeship in specialised process operations (nuclear options) or nuclear decommissioning
- Foundation degrees or vocational qualifications
- Higher education courses that have been designed to equip graduates with the practical and hands‐on knowledge
- In‐house training and development, of which there is a strong tradition in the sector
To become a nuclear engineer usually requires a degree, foundation degree or an HNC/HND in a relevant engineering or science subject. Employees generally work towards incorporated or chartered engineer status.
The sector needs to quadruple the number of apprentices over the next five years. The prospect of new nuclear build has increased the number of students on postgraduate programmes and two new nuclear degree courses have been established. Graduate development programmes are also on the increase.
The National Skills Academy for the process and nuclear industries will accredit in‐house training to ensure quality and consistency as well as help with transferability within and across the sector.
For job specific entry requirements, take a look at our job profiles.
Workforce statistics
| Number of UK employees: |
57,000 (in the combined civil and military sectors) |
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| Number of UK employers: |
over 200 |
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| Gender: |
82% male |
18% female |
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| Ethnicity: |
96% white |
4% non-white |
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| Age: |
6% of workforce is 16‐24 years |
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| 28% 25‐34 years |
| 35% 35‐44 years |
| 21% 45‐54 years |
| 10% is 55 years and over |
The nuclear workforce is older than the general workforce and is suffering from an accelerating retirement rate. This will strip the industry of the most highly trained and experienced personnel. 2015 is a critical year when decommissioning of the current fleet overlaps with both the need to begin training the operators for new power plants and the decline in experienced staff from retirements.
[N.B. Data derived from Cogent Sector Skills Assessment, 2010 and Labour Force Survey (January‐December), 2006.]
Employment trends and future prospects
Employment across the whole sector is projected to continue to fall to 2017, but at a slower rate than in previous years. The forecast requirement for new entrants to the nuclear industry by 2015 is between 3,400 and 11,500, while if early retirements occur, this could rise as high as 16,500.
Today the civil nuclear industry provides employment for 44,000 people in the core industry and the direct supply chain.
In the defence sector, a build programme of submarines continues alongside the studies to replace the national deterrent suggests the need for new entrants with the skills to undertake this work.
In the civil sector, the decommissioning of legacy sites continues, requiring a major re‐skilling of their workforce. The prospects for new build will also require a new training and education programme. Many of the skills required may come from the engineering and construction industries.
Skill requirements and shortages
- There is a 12% surplus of people qualified at S/NVQ level 1 and below.
- But there is a 20% deficit of workers qualified to levels 2 and 3, with a need for an increase in vocational and technical skills, up to and including level 3.
- Decommissioning will be the major nuclear sub‐industry growth area to 2015 – the change from operations will require workforce re‐skilling.
Occupational trends
Growth occupations in the industry to 2025 are Skilled Trades and Associate Professionals and Technicians. Between 2005 and 2015, to account for retirements alone, there is a predicted need for: 2,100 Process and Machine Operators; 3,500 Skilled Trades; 2,400 Associate Professional and Technical workers and 8,500 Professionals and Senior Officials. These needs are driven by demands of new build and increased need for repair and maintenance of ageing facilities.
Nuclear industry occupational distribution
| Senior management |
18% |
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| Professional occupations |
20% |
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| Technical occupations |
33% |
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| Process occupations |
14% |
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| Other |
15% |
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[N.B. Data derived from Labour Force Survey, 2007.]
National and regional data
The largest number of employees is located in:
- North West
- South West
- South East
- Scotland
The nuclear industry dominates the South West with nuclear facilities in Oldbury, Hinkley Point A and B and Berkeley, plus Devonport dockyard services nuclear powered submarines. Nuclear power stations and facilities are located in the East of England (Sizewell and Bradwell), North Scotland, Ayreshire, East Lothian, Dumfrieshire, North West Wales and in the North West (Sellafield, Springsfield, Capenhurst, Windscale and Calderhall).
Salary levels
Pay scales in this industry are variable and will depend on employer, location, shift allowances and overtime. The following only provides an indication of current salaries:
- The starting salary for a newly‐qualified graduate engineer may be around £24,000
- Experienced engineers with qualifications and professional association membership may earn between £35,000 to £45,000
- Senior chartered engineers may earn £55,000 or more
The UK’s median weekly earnings for those in the processing of nuclear fuel is £563.70.
For more information on pay scales go to the Cogent job roles 
.
Career paths
Careers in the industry are usually well‐paid and long‐term, with opportunities throughout the UK and often worldwide too. For further information:
Further sources
Produced Sept 2010, using Cogent AACS LMI report (June 2010)
