Nuclear Operator

24 month programme

What is a Nuclear Operator?

A nuclear operator is responsible for the hands-on operation of plant systems and equipment on their facility. Operators will be trained in procedures for plant control and monitoring, sampling operations, environmental controls, radioactive discharges, emergencies and other systems such as ventilation, steam and cooling water and dealing with the handling & disposal of radiological and hazardous waste.

Nuclear Operators promote a positive safety culture, act as custodian for front line operations and demonstrate excellent behavioural standards including the nuclear professionalism standard.  Operators comply with all legislative, regulatory and company policies & procedures applicable to the role, follow the Sellafield Ltd Standards and Expectations and align to the Sellafield Ltd manifesto values.

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 and may also be required to work at heights, in confined spaces or in hot / cold / inclement environments.

What do I need to consider?

This is a two-year scheme where, for the first 6 months of the year, you will receive both classroom & practical training and for the following 18 months, you will be based on the Sellafield site to obtain the remaining knowledge and skills to meet the Level 2 Apprentice accreditation.

As part of your learning journey, you may be required to rotate into various areas of the business or work shift patterns, which 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, demonstrating your areas of learning with accredited certificates of completion for elements of training.

Within the last six 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?

First 6 months – Classroom and practical training is delivered at a local off-site training facility.

Last 18 months – On the Sellafield Site and in an operational team, to continue your training and apprenticeship. You may be rotated into other teams or areas as required, to support both your apprenticeship learning and/or to meet key business needs.

You will be continually monitored and assessed both academically and behaviourally, during your whole training period.

What qualifications will I obtain*?

• Level 2 ST0291 Nuclear Operative
• Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Processing Industries Operations Process Operations
• Level 2 Award for Nuclear Industry Awareness (ANIA)

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

What are the entry requirements?

• Minimum age of 18 by 1st February 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.
• Functional Skills Level 2 will be considered as equivalent to GCSE Grade 4.
• Other qualifications, accredited by a recognised body (e.g. Ofqual), may also be considered.

What are the requirements to do the role?

• The role can be physically demanding, including general 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.

Click on the following links to see some of our Nuclear Operators in action:

One of our previous Nuclear Operator Apprentices – https://fb.watch/oMgmfMAzgd/?mibextid=WC7FNe

Operators working within our BEPs-DIFF Plant – https://youtu.be/opFzo1RuXIU

Operators demonstrating Floc retrievals –  https://youtu.be/EgvOp4b8czg

Operators working within our Silo Maintenance Facility – https://youtu.be/oGqcyR4StO0