Operations

Location: Sellafield, Cumbria

As an Operations Degree Apprentice, you will work alongside our experienced Operational Support staff, providing support to the various facilities across the Sellafield estate. You will develop your core technical & scientific skills and learn how to problem solve using a variety of tools and techniques, to enable you provide the relevant advice and guidance on specific plant issues and ensuring that activities are conducted to required standards and in safe conditions. You will assist in the delivery of safe and effective support activities, as part of an Operations Support team, to maximise the safety and quality of the operational processes within the plant/s covered.

Why Operations?

Operations offers a wide range of opportunities, across the five fundamental areas: the four “Value Streams” of Remediation, Retrievals, Special Nuclear Materials and Spent Fuel Management and then the broader enabling organisation of Site Management / Infrastructure.

Operations processes are centred around manufacturing and process engineering and strive for continuous improvement. We have over 2500 facilities, with their associated operations and hazards, having been brought on-line to meet the nation’s nuclear demands. We have a third of the site’s 11,000+ workforce within Operations, with the remainder providing support and services to Operations.

The diversity of the operational activities on offer is unrivalled both in the UK and internationally, with both Nuclear and non-nuclear activities spread across new or aged facilities, including operations in Utilities, Building Management and Transport & Rail.

Placement areas vary greatly and promise a wide range of opportunities for those with the drive to grab them.

Things I should consider?

To succeed on your chosen pathway, you should have a passion for a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Maths) based subject and a desire to pursue a career within the field. Following successful completion of your Level 5 Apprenticeship, you will have the opportunity to complete a Level 6 apprenticeship with an integrated Degree tailored to your chosen pathway.

You will not be physically hands-on, however throughout your chosen scheme you will be involved in exciting tasks and support the delivery of complex pieces of work, whilst becoming an integral part of a community of enthusiastic and talented individuals, who provide front line support to their respective facilities. Examples of work undertaken within Operations Support is: –

• Promoting & supporting overall nuclear safety (along with all other areas of safety – conventional, industrial, radiological, environmental) by maintaining a safe operating envelope through ensuring all work activities are to site standards, policies, processes, and procedures.
• Contributing to the continuous improvement programme and governance & control framework to ensure the safe delivery of operational activities against defined standards, company objectives and key performance indicators.
• Supporting plant modifications and plant improvements in compliance with the site licence conditions to maintain a safe working environment.
• Supporting independent assurance activities with internal and external regulators/customers.
• Supporting & acting as subject matter expert for operational / compliance standards, plant administration activities through the generation and control of plant indicators, visual management, instruction ownership and review, to ensure that a high standard of operational work is delivered.

Where will my training be delivered?

You will undertake a 3-month induction programme based at a local off-site training facility.

Work placements will be based on either the Sellafield site or one of our various satellite offices and you will rotate around the key operational areas to ensure your learning and experience is maximised. Academic Learning will take place 1 day a week at the training providers off-site training facility.

What qualifications will I obtain?

As part of your apprenticeship, your progress will be monitored and assessed against government standard requirements. You will compile an evidence folder, demonstrating your areas of learning with accredited certificates of completion for elements of your training. Within the last six months of your apprenticeship, you will undertake an assessment by an independently appointed organisation, where you will be expected to clearly demonstrate your capability to perform in your chosen career.

The Degree Apprentice Programme consists of two phases:

Year 1 – 3

• Level 5 ST0380 Nuclear Technician Apprenticeship
• Level 5 Foundation Degree / Higher National Diploma (HND) in engineering or science aligned to your chosen pathway.

Candidates with the potential to progress further:

• Level 6 ST0289 Nuclear Scientist and Nuclear Engineer Apprenticeship
• Level 6 bachelor’s degree in engineering (BEng) or science (BSc) aligned to your chosen pathway, over a further 2-year period.

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

What are the entry requirements?

Our degree apprenticeships are aimed at those studying for A-Levels or equivalent. The entry requirements for our degree apprenticeship schemes are:

• Minimum of 5 GCSEs at Grades 9 to 4 (Grades A* to C) including Mathematics, English Language and one Science or Engineering subject.
• Minimum of 96 UCAS points at A-Level / T-Level, STEM subjects preferred (e.g. Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology, Physics or Science) but not mandatory.
• Other Level 3 STEM qualifications may be considered.
• Vocational equivalents at level 3 or higher will also be considered as equivalent to UCAS points.
• If you do not have Mathematics at A Level or a higher level Engineering qualification, then you must achieve a minimum of Grade 6 (Grade B) at GCSE.
• Functional Skills Level 2 will also be considered as equivalent to GCSE Grade 4 (Grade C). Other equivalent qualifications may be considered.

Additional Requirements