We have joined forces with other organisations in the nuclear sector as part of the first sector-wide initiative to attract and recruit people over the next two decades, as it enters a new era of government-backed expansion.
Growth is driven by the government’s ambition for nuclear power, the AUKUS nuclear submarine partnership, as well as global defence and the role we play in nuclear security and keeping our nation safe. The UK’s nuclear sector is forecast to double over the next 20 years – that’s around 80,000 new roles in the UK. Our own targets are around 1,000 vacancies each year for the next three years.
The Destination Nuclear campaign brings together government organisations across nuclear and civil sectors, suppliers and educational institutions to attract new, and retain existing talent across the entire nuclear, to help fill critical skills gaps.
Minister for Nuclear, Andrew Bowie said: “The UK has begun the biggest nuclear power expansion in 70 years, with our world leading SMR competition and plans for a new mega nuclear plant similar in scale to Sizewell or Hinkley. To meet our ambitions, we need to rapidly ramp up recruitment in the sector, making sure we have enough people from engineers to welders to design and build new nuclear. Nuclear has fantastic career opportunities, and we want people of all ages to consider joining a key industry of the future.”
The campaign will target those considering a career change with transferrable skills, as well as supporting a commitment to apprenticeships and graduate schemes and increasing the opportunity for PhD students across industry-leading organisations.
It will also benefit national and regional employment, as well as supporting broader equality, diversity and inclusion and social mobility goals through reaching a much broader audience.
Meg Hunt, Chief People Officer, welcomes the partnership with Destination Nuclear: “We have a bold ambition, to hire 1,000 people a year for the next three years to work across the organisation. It is an exciting time to be working for AWE and in the nuclear sector, that is why we are supporting Destination Nuclear as well as raising our profile through our own marketing campaigns, to help more people connect with the wealth of opportunities that are available. Destination Nuclear is a first for the sector and by working together can deliver huge benefits for the future success of the industry and AWE.”
Check out the Destination Nuclear Careers Portal here and keep an eye on X and Instagram for more updates.