The nuclear industry employs 56,000 people in the UK and provides about 22% of the UK’s electricity.   The main activities in the nuclear industry include:

• Nuclear Heat Generation and Fuel Handling
• Decommissioning of Nuclear Facilities
• Nuclear Material Processes
• Waste Management
  

The nuclear fuel cycle operations are of major international importance providing for all the needs of the UK and much of the export demand. About 20,000 people are employed in the production, reprocessing and storage of nuclear fuel and in waste handling in the UK.

The safe and cost effective decommissioning and clean-up of the industry’s power stations and fuel processing facilities are providing future technical and engineering challenges for the industry. Approximately 15,000 people are employed in the operation and decommissioning of the UK’s nuclear power stations. All parts of the UK industry are subject to one safety regulator, HSE Nuclear Installations Inspectorate (HSE NII).

The Ministry of Defence operates 15 nuclear–powered submarines and maintains the Trident programme. These defence activities employ about 10,000 people.

Many British nuclear companies have substantial business in nuclear sector markets abroad. The experience and skills held by the industry in reactor operation, design and construction, maintenance and inspection, waste management and decommissioning technology provide a good basis for export business to a growing global market for facilities management.

Within Nuclear and Radiological Technology, the highest concentration of employees is in the professional category at 38%, with 24% in skilled trades. Over the next 15 years, significant replacement demands will be required as large numbers of employees will be retiring.

Employment in the industry, specifically nuclear fuel processing, is concentrated in the North West. The nuclear fusion research and industry is centred in the South East and London. A large nuclear shore support base is located in Western Scotland.

It is difficult to get an accurate picture of the occupational profile of the industry, however Cogent research indicates that professionals (engineers and scientists) make up the the largest occupational groups. Occupations in this group include: Operations, Maintenance, Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, Instrument / Control & Project Engineers; Radiation Protection, Health Physicist, Safety analyst, Quality Manager, Environmental Scientist, Nuclear Physicist, Criticality Expert, Chemists & Metallurgists.

In the future, significant loses are forecast in admin and clerical occupations and elementary clerical and service occupations.

Drivers of change:

• the economic conditions of the UK and wider markets
• intensified competition from globalisation
• suffered from an image of secrecy so effort needs to continue on improving the openness of the industry
• government policy on defence, energy, climate change and environment
• technological developments

For more future trends and challenges in the industry go to Future drivers in the sector and its industries.

Source:  Cogent website 2006 and Cogent Skill Needs Assessment

Click here for details on the workforce profile and dimensions of equal opportunities.