Nuclear Operator Apprenticeship (24-month)

• What will I be doing?

  As part of your apprenticeship, you will gain the skills and knowledge required by working alongside other fully trained Nuclear Operators.  As the role of a Nuclear Operator is very diverse, you may be involved in some of the following activities whilst training:

  • Operating ancillary equipment (e.g. floor or over-head cranes, pallet trucks), tools or transport.
  • Carrying out plant alignment or monitoring of plant, equipment, vehicles, systems and material conditions.
  • Housekeeping duties where required e.g. vehicles, equipment, plant, external areas, sumps, lagoons, drain gullies, rail tracks (rail workers only).
  • Cleaning duties which may entail; hoovering, emptying bins, removing redundant equipment, cleaning up water leaks, pressure washing, wet vacuuming, de-icing, removing contamination including radioactive, chemicals and oils to ensure a safe & secure environment.
  • Identifying and taking corrective action to resolve simple issues and reporting those which cannot be rectified as necessary.
  • Complying with required site emergency arrangements and may be required to form part of an emergency response and undertake emergency tasks following clear instructions.
  • Performing log keeping and handovers, including log entries / notifications, to ensure the service status of the facility is always known and meets required standards.

  The role of a Nuclear Operator is physically demanding and as an apprentice in this field, you must be able to work in radiation and contamination-controlled areas. Depending on the facility, you will be required to wear varying degrees of personal protective equipment and respiratory protective equipment (such as full PVC suiting, gloves and respirators) and may also be required to work at heights, in confined spaces or in hot/cold/inclement environments.

• What do I need to consider?

  As part of your learning journey, you may be required to rotate into various areas of the business. You will primarily be working standard day hours (07:30 – 15:40). However, you may be required to work shift patterns in support of your learning. This can involve working weekends and/or unsociable hours.

  An integral part of your apprenticeship will be the monitoring and assessment of your progress both academically and behaviourally, against the National Apprenticeship Standard.

  You will be required to compile a folder of evidence as well as complete written, verbal and practical tasks, demonstrating your areas of learning with accredited certificates of completion for elements of training.

  Within the last 6 months of your apprenticeship, you will undertake a knowledge and skills assessment with an independently appointed organisation, where you will be expected to clearly demonstrate both your ability to meet the Apprenticeship Standard and your capability both technically and behaviourally, to perform as a Nuclear Operator.

• Where will my training be delivered?

  This is a 2-year scheme where, for the first 2 months, you will receive both classroom and practical training at Gen2 and our site training facility.

  For the following 22 months, you will be based on the Sellafield site to obtain the remaining knowledge and skills to meet the Level 2 Apprentice accreditation.

  You will also be required to attend weekly off plant college/learning days, either at Gen2 or our site training facility. You will need to be able to travel to these locations as part of your apprenticeship.

• What qualifications will I obtain?

  Level 2 ST0291 Nuclear Operative Apprenticeship

  *Specific qualifications are subject to change and replaced with an equivalent.

• What are the entry requirements?

  Minimum age of 18 by 21st September 2026, in-line with health and safety requirements.

  Minimum of 3 GCSEs at Grade 4 (previously Grade C) or the Scottish equivalent, in Mathematics, English Language and 1 Science or Engineering subject.

  Comparable qualifications approved by Ofqual may considered equivalent to GCSE grade 4 (Grade C)

   

• What are the requirements to do the role?

  The role can be physically demanding, including manual handling, moving waste bags, climbing multiple flights of stairs and climbing ladders.

  You will be required to wear personal protective and respiratory equipment, including full-face respirators, PVC suits, latex gloves and may include air-fed suits, leather gauntlets, lead aprons, etc.

  You must be able to build effective working relationships and work as part of a team.

  The role will involve working in a range of conditions, including work at heights on platforms or over-head cranes, in hot or cold environments and in confined spaces.

• Additional Requirements

  Candidates must achieve SC security clearance and the required medical clearances; these will be instigated on receiving a conditional offer of employment.

• What can I expect to earn?

  Year 1* – £21,260

  Year 2* – £21,960

  21 years plus* – £26,413

Chloe
Nuclear Operator Apprentice

What kind of tasks have you been involved in during your apprenticeship?

One day I could be dismantling gloveboxes in high hazard areas, the next I could be exporting waste round site. Alongside this I have my learning which has been interesting looking into the history of site for example. The work is diverse and enjoyable, as my apprenticeship placement includes four decommissioning areas each with their own different challenges. I am coming to the end of my apprenticeship, and I am looking forward to becoming a qualified nuclear operator.

How has your apprenticeship shaped your career ambitions?

The apprenticeship has been the best decision I’ve made as I didn’t know anything about what a nuclear operator was. Now I am taking part in numerous decommissioning projects which I am grateful to be a part of. I never knew what I wanted to do as a career, now for the first time I feel like I’m ambitious and I know Sellafield will have plenty of opportunities for me to progress.