Nuclear technician

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship

University

You can do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in:

• nuclear engineering
• electrical or electronic engineering
• mechanical engineering
• physics

Entry requirements:

• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

College

You can do a college course to learn some of the skills you'll need to become a nuclear technician.

Courses include:

• physics and maths
• mechanical or electrical engineering
• nuclear engineering and science
• engineering maintenance

Entry requirements:

Apprenticeship

To become a nuclear technician, you could apply for a place on a Nuclear Technician Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship.

You can also start a Maintenance and Operations Engineering Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship then get further training on the job to work in nuclear facilities.

Entry requirements:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Skills:

• knowledge of engineering science and technology
• the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• knowledge of physics
• knowledge of public safety and security
• observation and recording skills
• to be flexible and open to change
• analytical thinking skills
• active listening skills
• the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
• thinking and reasoning skills
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• concentration skills
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to read English
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• maths skills
• physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace

What you'll do:

Nuclear technicians are involved in the safety and day-to-day running of nuclear power stations.

As a nuclear technician, you could:

• install and test new equipment and control systems
• monitor radiation levels at power plants
• find and fix faults
• run regular inspections and safety checks
• work with engineers to produce technical reports for managers
• remove equipment from power stations that have shut down

Possible green job

This job could help the environment.

For a nuclear technician to be a green job, you could:

• install more energy efficient equipment in power plants
• work to reduce levels of waste from reactors
• improve ways to clean up the sites of decommissioned power stations

Find out more about green careers

Location : You could work at a power station, at a research facility or in a laboratory.
Uniform : You may need to wear protective clothing.

Salary:

Starter : £24,000
Experienced : £43,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

37 - 42 hours week

Working Pattern is days / nights / weekends on shifts

Career Path:

With experience, you could become a:

• maintenance shift supervisor
• radiation safety adviser
• nuclear engineer

You could also use your skills to work in other engineering or power industries.

Alternatively, you might move into nuclear medicine, working with radiological instruments, for instance in hospitals, maintaining radiotherapy and medical imaging equipment.