science based engineering

All You Need To Know About Nuclear Scientist and Nuclear Engineering Integrated Degree Apprenticeships!

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A Nuclear Engineer (or a Nuclear Scientist) can fall under many names; Physicist, Research Scientist, Quality Engineer… This role is certainly not limited, nor is it small. If you have a knack for engineering and want to explore the scientific side of things, then look no further – we’re here to tell you everything you need to know about joining a Nuclear Engineering apprenticeship!

In this blog, we’re going to delve into a Level 6 apprenticeship, otherwise known as an ‘Integrated Degree’. This apprenticeship will typically last around 3-5 years, to offer a balance between hands on, work-based experience and academic time. Degree apprenticeships are great to go about learning your role in an exclusive hands-on way, at the same time as receiving academic achievement.

Jobs and entry criteria for Nuclear and Scientific Engineers

A Nuclear Engineering Apprenticeship means you’ll will be able to operate in high tech, complex environments safely, and will have a solid, core knowledge on engineering and scientific principles and practices. This role branches out into all aspect and will certainly keep you on your toes. You’ll be dabbling in (but not limited to): design, operation management, plant performance enhancements and maintenance of safety standards. It will be a constant role of realizing any issues, and adapting and overcoming with analytical thinking and new, innovative solutions. This role typically lands at around £20K – £35K per annum. Company dependent, can be even higher as you gain experience. Nuclear engineering apprenticeships take passion and dedication, as well as the willingness to learn.

Typically, to land yourself as a Nuclear Scientist and Nuclear Engineer, it will be dependent on the company employing you. Here’s what we have as a baseline…

  • Five passed GCSE’s (C or above) in Maths, English and at least one Science.
  • Usually, applicants have at least 96 UCAS points
  • Alternatively, an existing and applicable Level 3 Apprenticeship.

It is also useful to get prior relevant experience where possible. After completing this apprenticeship, the candidate will hold a Level 6 qualification – equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree.

What are the Nuclear Engineering apprenticeships’ key responsibilities?

Throughout your role, you will carry out a list of roles that are all built into the job. Below are some of the typical roles you can be expected to fill. However, they are not limited to this list. There’s always something new on the job!

Some examples are:

  • Working competently and technically to observe and monitor health, understand, and carry out risk assessments and safeguard
  • To be able to use and apply engineering and scientific principles to problems and solve them
  • Specify, manage, conduct and report on nuclear projects
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the Regulatory requirements within your role and internationally
  • Apply the standards for nuclear professional practice – as required by the industry

This list doesn’t touch all bases, but gives a solid idea of the kind of work you’ll be undertaking. To find out more info about the kind of work you’ll be doing, check here!

Engineering apprenticeships take concentration, a willingness to learn and get hands on, and the ability to monitor your own work.

What are your core competencies?

As you work through your role, you’ll (of course!) need to follow and learn certain behaviours/competencies. Typically, this position will consist of:

  • Communicating effectively with your surrounding peers with specific language and knowledge.
  • Work reliantly, autonomously, and effectively with those around you
  • Demonstrate supportive and committed behaviour, and understand consequences
  • Take on the responsibility to challenge any unsafe or irregular behaviours and conditions in the workplace, and understand the risk of such
  • Manage time effectively and personally

Of course, there’s more behaviours to understand as you work through the role; The main behaviour is to be enthusiastic. Advocate for the industry – enjoy it! Nuclear Engineering Apprenticeships mean you’ll be doing a lot of independent work and learning.

Overview

Apprenticeships will always provide you with readied opportunities; learning through hands on experiences is valuable and sought after. Qualified engineers and scientists will have a constant pull of demand, and with the Level 6 apprenticeship, you’re ready with a degree and years of training. Learn more about your role! You’re also eligible to apply for professional registration as an Incorporated Engineer (IEng). Degree apprenticeships are fantastic forgiving you experience and on the job knowledge. They opening up more opportunities in the future!

Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Operator – Level 2 Apprenticeship

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Non destructive testing operator surveying large metal pipe for quality check

Step into the world of science-based engineering with the Non-Destructive Testing Operator Apprenticeship. If you’re looking to start a career in some of the biggest industries in the world such as Oil & Gas, Aerospace, Energy, Power, Nuclear, and Transport, look no further as NDT qualifications can provide you with opportunities for all of the above. Read on to find out if the Non-Destructive Testing Operator Apprenticeship is the right fit for you.

Job Opportunities and Entry Criteria

Non-Destructive Testing Apprenticeships can provide a vast array of opportunities to kick start you into a well-paying career. Some of these include training in the product technology industry sector, education into NDT methods, and working as part of a team with workers at a similar level to yourself and of a superior level, allowing you to make contacts within the industry and potentially progress within the ranks

Entry level salaries after the completion of an apprenticeship usually start at around £26,000 and can go up to anything from £55,000 a year for experienced engineer level employees. If that isn’t enough to get you interested, some big organisations involved in creating the standard for the Non-Destructive Testing Operator were The British Institute of NDT, and Rolls Royce, meaning that popular companies similar to these organisations are sure to have a need for hiring NDT Operators.

Non-destructive testing operator surveying plane engine parts to ensure they are quality checked before being installed

Apprenticeship Entry Requirements

There are no educational entry requirements for this role, however you will need to achieve a level 1 in English and Maths in a level 2 English and maths test prior to taking the end-point assessment when completing the apprenticeship if you have not already achieved this through GCSEs. You will also be required to pass the NDT eyesight test, meaning you should have good, aided eyesight or good unaided eyesight for health and safety reasons. Adequate physical fitness is also beneficial for this role.

Daily duties and Primary responsibilities

On a day-to-day basis an NDT Operator Apprentice can expect to take part in some of the following tasks:

  • Inspection of materials, welding, and other product components or items using one NDT method
  • Report defects on the external surface of a test item or component
  • Visually assess and inspect products
  • Refer inspection results to a more qualified member of staff
  • Training and safe use of equipment used for inspections and assessments
  • Being forthcoming to your supervisor when raising concerns over the frequency of a certain type of defect
  • Marking defective areas for other follow up validations and assessments by supervisors or colleagues

Some of the tools you can potentially be expected to learn to use during this apprenticeship can include devices that measure conductivity, resistivity, and corrosion, as well as thickness gauges, flaw detectors, material condition testers, and eddy current instruments.

Testing equipment used by a Non-destructive testing operator

Knowledge and behavioural modules

Some of the key aspects of NDT operating that you will have the opportunity to gain knowledge about are:

  • Health and safety – In regard to Non-Destructive Testing ensuring your safety and the safety of others in the workplace is incredibly important. Your training and understanding will be relevant to the NDT method you will be using based on your training provider.
  • NDT methods – To complete the Level 2 apprenticeship in this area you will be required to understand and action one NDT method, which will be taught to you by your training provider.
  • Identifying defects – During this apprenticeship you will be required to learn and understand how to assess products and identify defects effectively against acceptance/rejection criteria.
  • Sector specific technology – You will be expected to understand and use relevant industry technologies, have knowledge of quality aspects, and working practices, such as induction information and workplace confidentiality protocols.
  • Industry relevant materials – Knowledge of well-used, new, and upcoming materials and product technology within your industry sector is considered extremely beneficial to learn in the Non-Destructive Testing apprenticeship.

Important qualities for Non-Destructive Testing Operators apprenticeship candidates:

  • Ethics – Speak to all colleagues with respect and treat individuals with equality in mind. Discrimination in the workplace is not tolerated and all workers should report anything if they feel they are being treated unfairly.
  • Time Management – All projects, assignments, and duties should consistently be completed in a timely manner and deadlines should be met or an extension should be requested in advance depending on the circumstances.
  • Independence – Be able to work on assignments without assistance from others and having a positive impact on the work environment.
  • Comfortable Working in a Team – Work in a team and support team members by equally contributing to any workload in any given teamwork scenario.
  • Communication Skills – Communicating with senior members of staff and colleagues to ensure work is completed on time and to a high standard, and any issue are raised and resolved.
  • Initiative – Apply knowledge learnt and experience gained throughout your apprenticeship to your daily tasks and use your initiative to raise any issues with senior members of staff.
Non-destructive testing operator apprentice using testing equipment to survey the safety of train tracks

Conclusion

Does the Level 2 Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Operator Apprenticeship sound like the right fit for you? We hope this post has given you an insight into the NDT course and has encouraged you to start your journey in finding the perfect career that is enjoyable and supports you financially. Non-Destructive Testing can open up a vast range of doors within the working world, making it a great choice for if you are yet unsure of what industry you wish to work in and are looking for an apprenticeship that will give you transferrable skills and keep your options open.

If Non-Destructive Testing is not for you but you’re still looking for something at a higher level in the science-based engineering field, why not check out our blog on the Level 6 Manufacturing Engineer Degree Apprenticeship?

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