In a groundbreaking move, the UK's nuclear sector is launching its first-ever comprehensive campaign, ‘Destination Nuclear’, to attract and recruit talent over the next two decades. This initiative responds to the government-backed expansion, aiming to double the civil and defence nuclear workforce, creating around 80,000 skilled jobs across the UK. 

Andrew Bowie the Minister for Nuclear 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, a collaboration between the government, sector organisations, supply chains, and educational institutions, seeks to address critical skills gaps and support the UK's nuclear ambitions. With the recent AUKUS Nuclear submarine partnership and the government's goal for nuclear power to generate a quarter of the UK's electricity by 2050, the sector is experiencing positive growth.

The Minister for Defence Procurement, James Cartlidge said:

People are at the heart of our nuclear sector, and the role they play helps keep the country safe around the clock. We have hugely exciting decades ahead in defence nuclear work, including global partnerships, such as AUKUS, so it’s right we work collaboratively with industry right now to realise the skills potential back home.

‘Destination Nuclear’ targets individuals considering a career change with transferable skills, emphasising apprenticeships, graduate schemes, and opportunities for PhD students. The campaign not only benefits national and regional employment but also aligns with broader goals of equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) and social mobility. 

Lynne Matthews, Head of Destination Nuclear said:

Destination Nuclear has provide a focal point where the sector has come really come together to deliver this vital campaign programme. To deliver our nuclear ambition we need to significantly grow the workforce. Many potential candidates may have not considered nuclear as a career.  Destination Nuclear will help show the wealth of opportunities the sector has to offer and help a broader range of people explore and venture into a career that is challenging, rewarding and sustainable. 

For those of us who have been in the industry for a while and passionate about its future contribution to society, ‘Destination Nuclear’ is a game changer. It demonstrates how a united effort can result in delivering huge benefit with everyone collaborating for the future success of the industry – Destination Nuclear, the awareness and recruitment campaign and our website representing all major organisations in the Sector is simply amazing. I am deeply proud of what has been achieved and want to congratulate all those involved. 
Simon Bowen of Great British Nuclear.

As the sector accelerates its growth and innovation, a key focus is on re-skilling the current workforce. The campaign aims to attract talent from other industries, leveraging digital, robotics, and artificial intelligence techniques already in use in sectors such as construction and manufacturing. 

EDF CEO Simone Rossi said:

EDF’s nuclear businesses aim to hire more than 1,000 people this year, to work at power stations, new build projects and in technical and support roles. It is an exciting time to be working in the sector but finding enough of the right people is challenging. That is why we are supporting ‘Destination Nuclear’ to help more people realise the wealth of opportunities in this vital sector. 

The revival of nuclear power aligns with the UK's clean energy transition, national security goals, and government investment. The government's Civil Nuclear Roadmap emphasises the vital role of nuclear in developing reliable, low-carbon energy, reducing dependence on fossil fuel imports, supporting job growth, and improving energy security. ‘Destination Nuclear’ emerges as a crucial initiative to drive recruitment and propel the UK's nuclear sector into a new era of innovation and technology leadership.

Reference: www.niauk.org “Destination Nuclear to drive Industry Recruitment.” Source: NIA - The Hub.

https://www.niauk.org/destination-nuclear-to-drive-industry-recruitment/