Nuclear technicians are involved in the safety and day-to-day running of nuclear power stations and working with radiological instruments, for instance in hospitals, maintaining radiotherapy and medical imaging equipment.
The day-to-day tasks on power stations include:
- Installing and testing new equipment and control systems.
- Monitoring radiation levels at power plants.
- Finding and fixing faults.
- Running regular inspections and safety checks.
- Working with engineers to produce technical reports for managers.
- Removing equipment from power stations that have shut down.
- Installing more energy efficient equipment in power plants.
- Working to reduce levels of waste from reactors.
- Improve ways to clean up the sites of decommissioned power stations.
If considering a career in Nuclear Energy, you may need to relocate for work, as Britain's nuclear power stations are spread around the country. There are currently 9 operational power stations in 5 locations, with new ones being built and several undergoing decommissioning.
Typical Roles
As a nuclear technician, you might become a:
- Maintenance shift supervisor
- Radiation safety adviser
- Nuclear engineer
- Nuclear waste specialist
- Quality engineer
What it takes
As a nuclear technician you will need:
- Knowledge of engineering science and technology.
- The ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools.
- Knowledge of physics.
- Knowledge of public safety and security.
- Observation and recording skills.
- Flexible and open to change.
- Analytical thinking skills.
- Be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently.
You will need to pass a security check with the minimum requirement being a BPSS security clearance and have a driving licence to get to work outside of public transport hours.
Early Careers
If you are in the early stages of your career and nuclear is your first choice, here are some of the different ways of starting a career as a nuclear technician.
- A university course.
- Acollege course.
- An apprenticeship.
- A university foundation degree.
- Higher national diploma or degree in: nuclear engineering electrical or electronics.
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.
You'll usually need:
- 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.
Salary and working the week.
Average salary (a year)
- Starter - £24,000
- Experienced - £43,000
- Head of Department - £64,000
- The working week - 39 to 41 a week
- You could work evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts