Nuclear Maintenance Technician Review

During the first two years, we receive our education, both in theory and in practical. During college holidays, we work at the power station, getting a hands on practical tuition, alongside qualified technicians, performing the jobs. As we progress to 3rd and 4th year, this becomes a full time practise. Daily jobs include maintenance and inspection of components on the plant, restoration of essential equipment and testing of working equipment to predict faults.

Absolutely. I had a background in working on mechanical systems before joining this apprenticeship, but it has given me so many opportunities to develop not just my existing skills, but also to learn many adjacent skills, and entirely new ones. This has been extremely valuable, as it now allows me to take those skills back out into the world, applying them to work I learned them from, at a much higher level.

I have to say I have thoroughly enjoyed the process. While there are certainly aspects that are not exciting for anyone, the company does promote and has a excellent focus on providing experience outside of the workplace, such as funded holiday planning to train organisation skills. Within the business, there is opportunity to be part of groups featuring like minded individuals, and these receive aid when planning trips within these groups.

As I was the first year at a different training location, I found there was some adjustment required, however current years have said that this has been changed. Upon returning to the power station, there was a fantastic understanding of what would be required of us, and of how we would be progressing. There is also regular reviews, both of our progress and of how the apprenticeship is going for us.

We are well supported with all aspects of the program. While there is still a system, the company will do their best to make sure every person is aided in every way they can. While there are some challenging tasks and a location change, I've had very little issues, and no major ones, that could not be helped or sorted with enquiry to the business.

Working on our basic training as part of the apprenticeship, we are supported in all aspects of living at the college, along with support for financial aid for supplies. We also have meetings to confirm how our education is progressing, and if there is any part of the qualification side that can be improved. We are also offered higher levels of education in our apprenticeships, and are granted time away from work to attend college, along with in-work time that can be used for study.

There is certainly some subjects that are less relevant than others, as the course originally covers three discipline, but this does serve to give an understanding of each before a choice is made on what we will specialise in. This also helps to give a deeper theoretical understanding of what our work will be, as is also focused after our selection, but also of the different work of others, and how that ties into work we may be doing on the same equipment.

Absolutely. As mentioned previously, there are funded trips to promote organisation skills, along with building relationships between different members of the apprenticeship. We also receive support when it comes to arranging weekly or monthly trips for sporting activities, or for social events. For example, we had a trip arranged to meet with another year of the apprenticeship and enjoy a day at a horse racing event.

Yes

I believe that overall, it is one of the best apprenticeships in the country. As someone that went through the application processes for several different apprenticeships before selecting this one, I was immediately impressed with what was offered, they level of professionalism, and how informed I was through the whole process.

Have a decent knowledge of the company and of how a system works. I personally went on a site tour, which is free to the public, and asked as many questions as I could regarding how the plant worked. Outwith that, remember that Safety is always the priority in a nuclear industry.