Assystem targets 100 women for nuclear roles

Assystem is a major supplier to the nuclear industry, with UK headquarters in Blackburn as well as bases in Bristol, Sunderland and London. It is currently supporting the development of Hinkley Point C (HPC) as well as the UK SMR (small modular reactor) programme and a nuclear fusion company.

The new positions at the company will be technical graduate opportunities focusing on skills development in specific areas of engineering support to the European Pressurised Water Reactor (EPR), the technology underpinning the new nuclear power stations at HPC and Sizewell C.

Hinkley C hailed as chance to diversify nuclear workforce

According to Assystem, women make up around 22 per cent of the nuclear workforce, but just 19 per cent of those studying engineering at university are female, compared with 35 per cent studying core STEM in general. The company says it will seek to target those studying wider STEM and not just engineering as it searches for greater gender balance across its growing UK workforce. It is aiming to use nuclear energy’s low-carbon credentials as an incentive to attract young STEM grads into an industry that can play a key role in the fight against climate change.