National nuclear regulator, the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR), welcomed seven new graduates this week.
The five women and two men are working across the organisation responsible for safety and security at Britain’s nuclear licensed sites.
The new graduates soon met their Career Development Managers (CDMs) and mentors while also getting advice from the previous crop of seven graduates that joined the organisation last year.
New graduate Daniel Finnigan, 23, studied Aerospace Systems Engineering at the University of Glasgow and is posted with ONR’s Mechanical Engineering/Nuclear Liabilities team.
He said: “I was attracted to ONR as I enjoy varied and challenging work, plus the opportunities to learn new skills here seem endless.
“My early impressions are being really impressed at the scope of the work undertaken here but also of reassurance that I made the right choice.
“My primary ambition is to become a Chartered Engineer and to work towards becoming an ONR Safety Inspector.”
Fellow graduate Alex Edey, 22, graduated from Durham University in June with an MSci in Geoscience (Geology). She is working with ONR’s External Hazards section.
Alex said: “I wanted to work for ONR because they offered me a role where I can use my geology knowledge but also have the chance to learn about a whole industry which is completely new to me.
“Many of the people at ONR are experts in their field and they have lots of knowledge to share. Everyone I have met has been incredibly friendly and willing to help.
“Over the next five years I want to discover what it is really like to work in nuclear, gaining as much experience as possible and becoming Chartered with the Geological Society.”
Nick Baldwin, ONR Chair, said: “ONR is delighted to support the Nuclear Graduates programme. We welcomed seven graduates last year and a further seven have now joined us in October.
“Young people bring a fresh creativity and vibrancy to the nuclear sector. ONR graduates are the nuclear inspectors of the future. We want to develop their skills and see them grow personally and professionally during their time with us.”
Debbie Harrison-North, ONR recruitment manager, said: “Research shows that there will be a significant shortfall in graduates entering the nuclear power industry by the decade 2015 – 2025.
“ONR is working hard to redress this balance with increased support for nuclear- related degrees and heightening the profile of careers in the nuclear industry which we support in ONR’s commitment to diversifying our workforce.”
Established as an independent Public Corporation in 2014, ONR’s mission is to provide ‘efficient and effective regulation of the nuclear industry, holding it to account on behalf of the public.’
The organisation employs more than 500 inspectors and business support staff at its three offices in Bootle, Cheltenham and London.