Apprentice Nuclear Inspection Technician - Sellafield

We’ve been chosen by Sellafield Ltd to lead a significant role on its long-term Infrastructure Delivery Partnership.

The billion-pound, 15-year contract award will deliver critical utilities infrastructure upgrades at the Cumbrian decommissioning site. The safe and responsible decommissioning of the UK’s nuclear legacy is a critical part of creating a sustainable future and delivering local and national economic prosperity.

As one of Sellafield’s trusted partners, we’ll deliver safe, high-quality utilities upgrades in a complex working environment, drawing on our extensive cross-sector infrastructure experience in the water, energy and transportation sectors to upgrade a variety of on-site and off-site utility distribution systems and services.

Our responsibilities will involve refurbishing and replacing a variety of on-site and off-site utility distribution systems and services, including steam, water supply, water treatment, compressed gas and other essential utilities serving Sellafield.

What does joining an apprenticeship at Costain offer you?

There are a wide range of apprenticeships available both in levels of qualification, and in length of study. At Costain we have a variety of apprenticeships on offer working on projects around the UK in sectors including nuclear, highways, rail, water, airports and tunnels and with a number of partners and joint ventures.

When taking on one of the many apprenticeships offered by Costain you will receive support from your manager, Costain Early Careers Team, and the training provider of your academic qualification. The training provider may be a college, a university or even an independent training provider.

At your interview you will discuss the level of qualification on offer. At this time, we may not know which training provider you will be registered with but either before or in the early weeks of your apprenticeship, the Early Careers Team will register you with a suitable training provider who can support the delivery of your qualification. Being an apprentice means you will work both on-the-job with your project on site, and off-the-job with the provider.

You will be supported throughout your apprenticeship by your team and line manager and will be given time to carry out your studies with the provider and via study leave in line with company policy. Your on-the-job training will be in line with the work available on site but will afford the opportunity to ensure that you are given on site experience required to meet the technical and competency levels to achieve your apprenticeship goals.

About the role

 The Nuclear Inspection Technician apprentice will perform inspection work for nuclear fabrications at the suppliers manufacturing facilities which supply the nuclear industry, checking the safety and integrity of the construction on nuclear licenced sites undertaking waste management, decommissioning, construction and operational nuclear plants. A Quality inspection technician works individually or interacts with an inspection team. They operate in a challenging environment where quality standards are paramount, and safety is the overriding priority. This work will involve conducting detailed observations, making detailed records, giving technical feedback and providing challenge throughout the manufacturing process. Working conditions may involve wearing specialist safety equipment, shift working and working on sites and facilities running 365-day operations. In addition to the inspection work, the quality inspection apprentice will work towards completing and pass the end point assessment to be awarded the qualification certificate.

A quality inspection apprentice is responsible for the quality and accuracy of the work they undertake. They need to be able to work with minimum supervision and in a professional manner, for example, complying with environmental regulations to ensure that all welding inspection activities minimise any potential environmental impact.

• Comply with nuclear legislation and regulations, policy, standards and procedures
•  Comply with health and safety, and environmental and sustainability regulations and guidance in accordance with the nuclear environment
• Receive, read, and interpret engineering data and documentation
• Conduct inspection and surveillance of welded products to verify compliance with the appropriate specifications, procedures, drawings, and inspection and test plans
• Verify that the correct, defined and calibrated measurement and test equipment is used
• Produce accurate and timely inspection reports
• Act as a mentor to other nuclear welding inspection apprentices
• Resolve problems that occur within the activity using a structured and controlled approach. For example, unexpected technical or process issues, team related issues, escalating as required
• Validate materials, equipment and consumables storage, condition and certification and the welding process is in accordance with an approved procedure. Verify qualified status of welder and check weld fit up and weld faces
• Carry out process and parameter monitoring and verification. For example, check current, voltage, heat and travel speed are in accordance with the welding procedure and inspect the weld root and verify inter run.
•  Carry out visual inspection, non-destructive testing techniques, for example, liquid penetrant testing (LPI), magnetic particle inspection (MPI), for weld appearance and identification checks when SQEP validation allows
• Ensure Life Time Records (LTRs) are generated concurrent with manufacturing activities, and ensure verification of records is carried out in a timely manner and report deviations to this process,
• Review the final LTR package
• Carry out and record formal and informal workplace training and development activities, continual professional development (CPD)

Essential 

As appropriate to the apprenticeship entry requirements: 

GCSE Grades 9-4 (or A*- C) in maths, English and science 

Ability to Work towards a technical understanding of the processes producing the outputs being inspected 
IT literate for reporting inspection results within electronic systems 
Effective communication skills in both written and spoked format
The integrity to remain impartial and consistent when identifying defects.

Desirable 

BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Engineering 
CSWIP 3.0 Visual welding Inspection
School placement work experience obtained within the nuclear industry
Work towards SC Clearance

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