UKAEA and MTC Training Launch New Nuclear Apprenticeships to Power UK’s Clean Energy Future

The UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) and Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) Training have joined forces to launch two new apprenticeship programmes: the Nuclear Health Physics Monitor (PDF) and the Nuclear Operative (Decommissioning) (PDF). These programmes are designed to bolster the future workforce and create pathways for learners to enter the expanding fusion and nuclear sectors.

This initiative comes at a pivotal moment for the UK’s energy industry, following the greenlighting of Sizewell C and a £2.5bn commitment to fusion in the 2025 Spending Review. As outlined in the UK Government’s Clean Energy Jobs Plan (October 2025), the clean energy workforce is projected to nearly double between 2023 and 2030, significantly increasing the demand for skilled workers.

To meet this demand, UKAEA and MTC Training are expanding their training offer at the Oxfordshire Advanced Skills (OAS) Training Centre at UKAEA’s Culham Campus. This Autumn, OAS welcomed its first cohort of 36 learners onto the new programmes, which were developed in close collaboration with UKAEA subject matter experts to ensure they meet real-world industry needs.

The apprenticeships provide specialised, hands-on training:

• The Health Physics curriculum covers the use of monitoring instruments, application of control measures, and compliance with legislative regulations.

• The Nuclear Operative curriculum focuses on safely packaging waste, assembling and dismantling equipment, and operating in specialised Personal Protective Equipment.

Learners will gain invaluable hands-on experience at the Culham Campus, home to world-leading fusion research facilities.

Nick Walkden, Head of Fusion Skills and FOSTER Programme Director, UKAEA:
“UKAEA is committed to expanding the qualified workforce… We’ve been thrilled by the reception that these new courses have had from industry and are looking forward to growing our skills offerings in the future.”

Chris Rooum, Business Development Director, MTC Training:
“By collaborating with UKAEA to design and offer these apprenticeships, we can provide the industry with a future workforce to support clean energy transition in the UK.”

This initiative is supported by UKAEA’s Fusion Opportunities in Skills, Training, Education & Research (FOSTER) programme. The partnership is also developing further specialist courses, including a Level 3 Engineering Maintenance Technician course launching in September 2025 and a Level 6 Nuclear Science apprenticeship.

To find out more about these courses and training opportunities, visit mtc-training.org/subjects/nuclear.