The first cohort of degree apprentices at the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) has graduated this year, marking a significant milestone in its efforts to open new talent pathways into the sector.
Jordan Downie, Jamie Finn and Lucy Ingham each gained a BEng (Hons) Degree in Nuclear Engineering through Lancaster University, with support from Blackpool and the Fylde College, alongside work placements spanning ONR’s regulatory functions.
Degree apprenticeships are part of ONR’s strategy to tackle the skills gap in the UK nuclear sector by recruiting and training the next generation of regulatory and corporate specialists.
Developing skills through practical learning
Jordan welcomed the opportunities to apply engineering knowledge from her degree to her role at ONR. This included leading elements of a power station graphite inspection alongside specialist structural integrity inspectors.
She said: “We’ve gained a wide range of experience at ONR, and spending time with lots of different specialisms – including those outside engineering – helped us understand how everything fits together.”
Jordan has developed confidence and valuable skills in many different areas including communication, time management and prioritising competing deadlines.
Jordan added: “Degree apprenticeships are a great choice for those who learn more practically.
“Pursuing a degree alongside work may seem challenging, and it does require dedication and juggling priorities, but there is a lot of support available and the skills you develop along the way are worth it.”
Jordan has now taken on a role in aerospace systems engineering, applying what she learned during her apprenticeship to another highly regulated and wide-ranging industry.
Making connections for career success
Jamie emphasised the positive working relationships he has built at ONR, and said: “Taking part in inspections allowed me to put my education into practice, but also helped me build valuable rapport with inspectors.
“I am grateful for the support I’ve received within ONR, which has had a huge impact on my success.”
The degree apprentices also supported each other and Jamie pinpoints a personal highlight of how he, Jordan and Lucy took part in a six-month practical engineering skills course at Blackpool and the Fylde College, forming a friendship that has continued throughout their time at ONR.
Jamie is currently pursuing an MSc (Eng) in process safety and loss prevention at the University of Sheffield, after which he aims to return to ONR as an internal hazards inspector.
He added: “Don’t write off the idea of degree apprenticeships.
“They are just as viable an option as traditional university and a great way to hit the ground running in your chosen career.”
Building networks and exploring opportunities
Lucy valued the opportunity to visit different nuclear facilities while at ONR, the most memorable of which included being on-site at Heysham while the refuelling of a reactor was taking place.
She said: “As an apprentice, it was great to be able to learn from more experienced colleagues within ONR.
“I also had the chance to establish contacts with external colleagues in academia and industry, which has given me a head start on building my professional network.”
Lucy is now studying an MSc in Nuclear Science and Technology at the University of Manchester, part of the Nuclear Technology Education Consortium.
Like Jamie, she plans to return to ONR after her degree and take up a role as an inspector, focusing on fault analysis as she works to gain chartership and her full warrant.
She said: “As our paths show, there are lots of different opportunities available after you graduate from a degree apprenticeship.
“Whatever you choose to do, a degree apprenticeship helps you stand out and show you have the kind of skills organisations are looking for.”