Do you have a passion for all things technical and scientific? Do you want to work in a successful industry that makes up for 21% of the UK’s electricity? An industry that is looking to increase massively by 2025? If so read this article on what it takes to embark on a Level 5 Nuclear Technician Apprenticeship! And fully understand the technical details of how to start your journey in this apprenticeship.
The Role Of A Nuclear Technician Apprentice, Key Duties & Responsibilities
The role of a Nuclear Technician is hands-on and task focussed. When starting at level 5 you will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team. Here you will provide technical support to enable the engineers and technologists to function day to day.
You will be expected to carry out a range of technical, scientific, and engineering tasks, to operate systems safely. You must have a good understanding of processes and procedures for the day-to-day operational requirements in nuclear facilities.
This apprenticeship is versatile and allows you to work on varying tasks to demonstrate discipline skills and project management skills. These include, but are not limited to;
- Preparation of technical reports and information to assist managers in decision making.
- Utilise problem-solving techniques to identify technical improvements
- Sampling, testing, measuring, recording and interpretation of results to present to senior colleagues.
- Carrying out routine tasks accurately and following strict methodologies
- Setting up, maintaining and operating equipment.
- Using computers and performing mathematical calculations for the preparation of data.
- Keeping up to date with technical developments, especially those which can save time and improve reliability and performance.
Occupational Knowledge, Skills And Behaviours
As a Nuclear Technician apprentice, you must know and understand a wide variety of knowledge, skills, and behaviours. This is due to this apprenticeship being very technical with a huge emphasis on health and safety in the workplace.
- Knowledge – This includes concepts, principles, and theories of engineering science in nuclear technology, stakeholders, sciences, and engineering disciplines, how to analyse and apply the results of research, past, present and future nuclear history, root cause analysis and many more.
- Skills – Including how to work competently and safely in technical environments, risk management, health and safety, utilising mathematical and engineering tools, record data and develop accurate reports, IT skills, decision-making ability and much more.
- Behaviours – These include effective communication, work in a multi-disciplinary team, understand diversity and equality, working to schedules, responsible for self-development, strong commitment to health and safety, compliant by following rules and procedures, enthusiasm for the industry etc.
Entry Requirements & Qualifications for the Level 5 Nuclear Technician Apprenticeship
It’s not as difficult as you would assume to become a nuclear technician! This opportunity is open to a wide spectrum of individuals. Those who have completed GCSEs and received a grade C or higher in at least 5 subjects, including English, Maths, and a Science, they must also have a minimum of 240 UCAS points.
People with relevant or comparable experience who desire to develop their skillset through a higher-level apprenticeship can also take advantage of this opportunity.
This course will take 36 months. This is not including the EPA period which increases it to 42 months! On successful completion, you will be eligible to apply for professional registration as Engineering Technician (EngTech) or Registered Science Technician (RSciTech).
Salary
This apprenticeship provides several opportunities for your future career! Whether you want to be a quality engineer, instrumentation and control engineer, reactor operator, or any other function in chemical, electrical, or mechanical engineering. The apprenticeship itself starts with £21k, but for competent technicians, future brackets can exceed £65k, making this a high-paying position.
Conclusion
The Level 5 Nuclear Technician apprenticeship is an excellent first step for anyone interested in pursuing a career in engineering or upgrading their skills if they already work in a related industry. This apprenticeship provides a steppingstone to a degree level (level 6) apprenticeship for anyone interested in furthering their education and career development.
If engineering is your passion but you don’t think this is the right path for you, or if you simply require a lower or higher level of entry, please keep an eye on our Twitter feed for new roles or visit our full list of approved engineering opportunities to see the top apprenticeships on the market!
