As the nuclear industry evolves, transferable skills are opening up new career pathways, while professional recognition, networking and collaboration are helping individuals adapt and develop across sectors.
Find out more about the Nuclear Professionalism Standard®
So far, nuclear careers have typically been associated with large power stations, reactor operations, defence programmes and long-term decommissioning. Now, the expansion into new approaches, advanced manufacturing and digital technologies is changing the game and the skills and knowledge involved in different energy systems are becoming increasingly integrated across industries.
For nuclear professionals, this changing environment means a successful career depends not only on specialist nuclear knowledge, but also on wider professional skills that spread across technologies and sectors. Traditional nuclear competencies now sit alongside capabilities in digital engineering, data, automation, robotics, cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing, systems engineering, project management, human factors and many more.
People in the industry are increasingly required to work across boundaries and between disciplines, making the development of adaptable skills an extremely valuable tool in order to prolong relevance in an ever-changing environment. Equally, the industry is increasingly in need of specialist skills from other areas, encouraging cross-sector transition and the alignment of these skills to the nuclear space.
Andrew Titchmarsh, Programme Manager for Destination Nuclear, the Nuclear Skills Plan’s campaign to attract people to join the nuclear industry, believes more professionals are capable of working in nuclear than you might think. He explains:
“To me, everything is transferable into nuclear. Everyone has the skills to work in the sector, they just need to understand how to best apply existing skills to it.
“Nuclear relies on every single skill, craft and trade that people bring, right down to artistic elements and wellbeing. It's endless, absolutely endless. The difference is how you convert existing skills to deliver in a different product environment, in this case nuclear application. The same with changing into any new profession, sector or product type, the conversion best takes place by learning from others on the job, developing your knowledge and understanding the environment fully, to match your skills to it.”
Transferable skills
During a lifetime in the industry, an individual may now work in many different areas of the sector or even cross over to an entirely different industry and return. It is easier to have a more varied career experience than ever before – with problem-solving, systems thinking, risk management, leadership and decision-making capabilities relevant across a wide range of areas.
Titchmarsh has seen people from many different sectors transition into nuclear and adds: “There are so many unique pathways. The list is endless, and some industries that spring to mind are service advisors, hospitality, police force, NHS, teaching, communications, rail, automotive, utilities and aerospace.”
Communication is one example. An engineer who can explain a complex technical solution clearly to regulators, project managers, operators and non-specialists in a chemical plant, an offshore facility or any major infrastructure development could potentially contribute effectively in the nuclear environment. Digital capability is another increasingly transferable area, as data analysis, modelling, digital twins, automation and robotics are all now used in nuclear, and the underlying capability can travel with the professional.
This does not make nuclear knowledge less important; it simply means that a professional can take their base knowledge and build in that nuclear context and the wider principles of engineering, science or project delivery. Titchmarsh adds: “If you take transport and logistics as an example, transferring materials to build nuclear reactors, it's all logistics; you just have a slightly different requirement. It's all down to how it's controlled, so everything's convertible by principle; it's then how you convert to align with nuclear standards and product requirements.”
Why professionalism matters
Professionalism provides a framework for demonstrating how an individual applies their knowledge and skills: responsibly, ethically, competently and with a commitment to continued development. This is particularly important in nuclear because decisions can have consequences extending well beyond an individual project or organisation.
Professional registration and recognition, such as that which can be attained through the Nuclear Professionalism Standard®, provides independent assurance and can help translate experience from one organisation or sector into something that is understandable to another employer.
This approach is also reflected in a new agreement between the Nuclear Institute and the Nuclear Sector Skills Team, which will explore closer collaboration to support the Nuclear Skills Plan. The partnership will examine how professional standards, career transition pathways and workforce mobility can help people enter, develop and build lasting careers in nuclear.
These standards are often relevant in supporting movement across industries as they reinforce competence, integrity, safety and accountability. A professional identity provides evidence of a broader engineering standard and aligns that experience and competence to the specific industry, bringing with it the potential for career mobility across everything from technical specialism to an entire industry.
The networking that comes as part of that professionalism can prove invaluable when it comes to transferable skills, as it provides access to mentoring, guidance and education that quickly builds relevant sector knowledge.
“Being connected to an institute aids your pathway because it offers the opportunity to connect with professionals that work in the sector and begin to build your network,” says Titchmarsh.
“Nuclear is a highly prestigious environment, with decades of knowledge, processes and principles. Being part of an institute or body opens a network of understanding and it's about people interaction. Being shown something first hand speaks a thousand words and guidance, networking and one-to-one mentoring or coaching work best.”
Collaboration and human connection
The nuclear industry needs a significant influx of skilled individuals to deliver on its net zero targets – and the portability of transferable skills from other sectors will be key to filling this need. That could be an engineer moving to nuclear from another safety-critical sector, a project manager transitioning from major infrastructure; a scientist moving from advanced materials; or a technician applying their maintenance and manufacturing skills from another area to the nuclear environment.
One of the remaining barriers to transition into nuclear, however, is the stigma that continues to be attached to it due to incidents from the past – and Titchmarsh believes more work needs to be done to grow the positivity for nuclear. “Collaboration and networking are how we will build these bridges and share knowledge, using myth busting communications to change perceptions,” he says.
“The largest part of Destination Nuclear and the Nuclear Skills Plan is collaboration, because it is essential to build on strong connections and further strengthen foundations to attract, retain and enable the future diverse and inclusive workforce with equality. That's how skills will develop and grow sustainably. It'll take time and it's organic, so it doesn't happen overnight but with each day we can change and improve perceptions through knowledge.”
Enabling those new nuclear employees to build a portfolio of evidence, undertake relevant CPD, participate in professional institutions and work towards or maintain professional registration is a key part the NI can play within that process. Titchmarsh concludes: “It’s about making it clear that knowledge and skills are transferable and both possibilities and opportunities are endless. If someone says to me ‘what's the pathway, how do I get into nuclear?’ I say just start by applying your skills and get involved. You can't define your path it's unique to everyone.
Remember the future’s in your power; it really is!”