Nuclear technician

You can do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in:

• nuclear engineering
• electrical or electronic engineering
• mechanical engineering
• physics

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• student finance for fees and living costs
• university courses and entry requirements

You can do a college course to learn some of the skills you'll need to get into this job. Courses include:

• Level 3 Certificate in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering
• Level 3 Diploma in Integrated Nuclear Engineering and Science
• Level 3 Diploma in Maintenance Engineering Technology
• Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Nuclear Engineering

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
• 1 or 2 A levels, a level 3 diploma or relevant experience for a level 4 or level 5 course

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• funding advice
• search for courses

You can do a nuclear technician higher apprenticeship.

You can also start a maintenance and operations engineering advanced apprenticeship, then get further training on the job to work in nuclear facilities.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• guide to apprenticeships

Career tips

You can find employers on the Nuclear Industry Association jobs map.

Further information

You can learn more about working as a nuclear technician from Nuclear Careers.

You'll need:

• knowledge of engineering science and technology
• the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• knowledge of public safety and security
• knowledge of physics
• observation and recording skills
• to be flexible and open to change
• thinking and reasoning skills
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

You'll need to:

• pass security checks

You'll usually need a driving licence to get to work outside of public transport hours.

Your day-to-day duties may include:

• carrying out planned maintenance work
• finding faults and fixing them
• installing new equipment and systems
• monitoring radiation levels in and around the power plant
• running regular inspections and safety checks
• working with staff on emergency procedures
• removing equipment from power stations that have shut down
• decontaminating machinery

You could work at a power station, at a research facility or in a laboratory.

Your working environment may be humid.

You may need to wear protective clothing.