Nuclear Welding Inspection Apprenticeship 2025

Summary

The role of a nuclear welding inspection apprentice will be to provide quality control and welding inspection services to the nuclear industry. For the first twelve months you will learn basic hand skills and cover three in depth modules covering the most commonly used welding techniques within the industry.

Annual wage

£23,056 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Increasing to £25,637 in year 2, £28,130 in year 3 and £30,682 in year 4. You’ll have the opportunity to benefit from an annual bonus, linked to company performance, of up to £4000*

Training course

Nuclear welding inspection technician (level 4)

Hours

You will be required to work typical office based hours at Sellafield Ltd, which is 08:10 to 16:20, Monday to Friday. However you may be requested to start earlier and work hours such as; 07:00 to 15:10 or 07:30 to 15:40. Shifts to be confirmed.

37 hours a week

Possible start date

Monday 8 September

Duration

4 years

Positions available

3

Work

As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.

What you’ll do at work

You will be carrying out detailed visual inspections.
Making detailed records and giving technical feedback.
Developing the confidence to challenge/question specifications throughout the manufacturing process.
You will become trained in other techniques such as liquid penetrant and magnetic particle testing to detect surface breaking defects or you may also get the chance to do volumetric testing such as; Radiography and Ultra Sonic testing, which allows you to detect defects inside the weld. You will need to have the right attitude to health and safety, quality and following instructions.

The scheme will cover:

Material science
Welding technology/welding inspection
Non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques

Where you’ll work

Sellafield Site / Surrounding offices in West Cumbria

CA20 1PG

Training

An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.

College or training organisation

GENII ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY TRAINING LIMITED

Your training course

Nuclear welding inspection technician (level 4)

Equal to higher national certificate (HNC)

Course contents

Before Welding: They ensure material storage, condition and certification is correct and that the welding process is in accordance with an approved procedure. They also ensure that the welder is qualified, welding equipment is in a suitable condition and calibrated, consumables are correctly specified, stored and certified and weld joint fit up and weld faces are correct and free from damage and contaminants.
During Welding: They carry out process and parameter monitoring and verification ensuring current, voltage, heat and travel speed are in accordance with the welding procedure. Inspection of the weld root and verification of inter run cleaning.
After Welding: They carry out weld appearance & identification checks (visual inspection), Non-destructive testing, dimensional surveys against engineering drawings. They ensure subsequent repairs are completed and recorded, post weld heat treatment is in accordance with defined parameters and record completion & verification and subsequent inspection reporting.
Technical Requirement – They can interpret engineering drawings and procedures to ensure fabrication and dimensional requirements are achieved. Correctly apply inspection methods and records results.
Technical Specifications – They can apply relevant nuclear specific, British and international standards & specifications to inspection and reporting of welding and weld quality.
Certification – They carry out verification of Certification data, ensuring the requirements of nuclear specific, British and international regulations, standards & specifications are achieved and traceability has been maintained throughout the welding and inspection phase.
Safety – They always operate with the highest regard to safety of self and others within a nuclear environment and with effective control of risks associated with welding and inspection tasks.
Business Improvement – They will apply a variety of appropriate business improvement techniques to solve business problems and improve business efficiency. Understand the theory, principles and practice associated with a variety of appropriate business improvement techniques.

Your training plan

You will have the opportunity to work towards a Level 4 Apprenticeship certificate, during this time you will work alongside existing welding inspectors at Sellafield Ltd and attend college one day per week.

1st Year – Training will be delivered at a local off-site training facility. You will learn basic hand, trade skills, welding techniques, reading engineering/fabrication drawings, taking measurements and a basic introduction into welding inspection.
2nd, 3rd and 4th Year – You will be placed in the welding inspection team on site/off site and in the supply chain learning about welding inspection, material defects and NDT techniques, i.e. Dye Penetrant, Magnetic Particle, Radiography and Ultrasonic Testing. We also carry out inspections off site as well which means we have to inspect manufactured items/equipment that our suppliers have made in their workshops to check it meets the required standard.

As an integral part of your apprenticeship your progress will be monitored and assessed against government standard requirements. You will compile an evidence folder, demonstrating your areas of learning with accredited certificates of completion for elements of your training. Within the last six months of your apprenticeship you will undertake an assessment by an independently appointed organisation, where you will be expected to clearly demonstrate your capability to perform as a Nuclear Welding Inspection Technician.

What qualifications will I obtain?

ST0292 Nuclear Welding Inspection Technician Apprenticeship
Level 4 BTEC Higher National Certificate.
Level 2 Welding Inspection qualification, which allows the NWIT to deploy and supervise welding inspection.
Level 2 certification in two NDT techniques
Performing Engineering Operations (PEO) NVQ Level 2 in Welding
Level 3 BTEC National Diploma in Operations and Maintenance (3 units only)
BTEC HNC in Engineering Manufacture
Award for Nuclear Industry Awareness (ANIA) Level 2 qualification

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

English Language (grade 5)
Mathematics (grade 5)
Science or Engineering subject (grade 4)
X2 Any Subject (grade 4)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Attention to detail
Problem solving skills
Number skills
Team working
Initiative

Other requirements

Having high levels of attention to detail is vital in this role and in the written write up on records. It is a requirement for the role that you are able to pass an NDT vision test in accordance with BS EN ISO 9712, this is required to be maintained at 12 monthly intervals.

About this company

Sellafield Ltd is a global centre for nuclear engineering management. We pioneered the harnessing of nuclear power to generate electricity for the country. Now the world is watching as we set international standards in high-hazard reduction. In short, we’re at the forefront of the industry.

https://careers.sellafieldsite.co.uk/vacancies/ (opens in new tab)

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

Following successful completion of your apprenticeship, we will look to retain you in a professional full time position at Sellafield Ltd.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

SELLAFIELD LIMITED

GBS Recruitment

recruitment@sellafieldcloud.co.uk

019467 81000

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000290891.

Apply now

Closes on Sunday 16 February

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