Nuclear power may be in the news for the wrong reasons at the moment, but it nonetheless remains a crucial aspect in the future development of Britain's resources. And along with this, new reports suggest, it could also play an increasingly prominent role in the graduate recruitment market. The Daily Mail reports that nuclear energy and component manufacturer Areva, one of three companies bidding for the right to create two new European plants, has vowed that up to 100,000 jobs could be created through its plans in the next six years, including graduate engineering jobs.
These jobs would be based around reactors in Somerset and Suffolk, and up to 80% would be run by British companies. For engineering graduates, the prospect of entering nuclear power can no doubt seem a daunting task. As with any graduate job search, it requires extensive research into the field. Furthermore, a successful application would lead to a big decision to be made regarding relocation, as the vast majority of jobs require proximity to a particular plant. However, this is not a dilemma exclusive to the field, as many graduates face a similar proposition no matter what career they are looking to enter.
Those who do make the move will find themselves at the centre of something which could experience massive growth even within the next few years. The plans of Areva and the other two firms, Horizon Nuclear and the NuGeneration consortium, demonstrate the increasing move away from the energy sources we have relied upon for so many years towards the nuclear option. Nuclear power may still get bad press on occasion, but as a clearly identifiable growing market amidst an often uncertain economic climate, its appeal as an option for recent and future graduates only looks set to rise.
Jon, GRB Journalist
