Nuclear technician
Level 5 · HigherEngineering and manufacturing 3 yr typical
About this apprenticeship
What it involves
Nuclear technicians provide technical support to nuclear operations, safety cases, and engineering on licensed nuclear sites, working at a higher level than operatives with greater responsibility for analysis and documentation. Apprentices at Level 5 develop specialisms in areas such as reactor physics, shielding, waste characterisation, or plant performance. The role is a stepping stone to nuclear engineer or safety case assessor positions.
On the job
What you’ll learn
Applied nuclear physics and reactor physics principles
Nuclear safety case development and review methods
Radiological characterisation and waste classification
Plant performance monitoring and technical data analysis
Nuclear regulatory requirements and licence conditions
Technical writing and preparation of formal documentation
On the job
What you’ll do day to day
Analyse plant data and produce technical assessments
Support the development or review of nuclear safety cases
Characterise radioactive waste streams for disposal or storage
Carry out radiation shielding or criticality calculations
Produce formal technical documents and drawings
Liaise with operations, engineering, and regulatory teams
The deal
How this apprenticeship works
You earn a wage from day one. You are a paid employee, not a student. There are no tuition fees - the training is funded by your employer and the government.
About 20% is “off-the-job” training. Roughly a day a week is spent learning away from your normal duties - at a college, training provider, or online - working towards a recognised qualification.
It ends with an end-point assessment (EPA). Near the end, an independent assessor checks you can do the job to the national standard - through tests, a project, a portfolio or an interview. Pass it and you are fully qualified.
How to get there
What you need to start
Level 5 (Higher) - roughly Foundation-degree level. Usually needs Level 3 (A-levels, a T-Level, or an Advanced apprenticeship) or relevant experience.
What’s next: Can lead to a Level 6 (Degree) apprenticeship or a senior role.
Entry requirements are set by each employer and can vary - always check the specific vacancy.
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What it’s really like
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