With new nuclear power stations approved, ambitious plans for advanced nuclear technologies, and the government committing to expand nuclear capacity, the demand for highly experienced engineers, project managers, skilled tradespeople, and specialist support roles is growing fast. For organisations looking to deliver on this expansion, and for professionals seeking opportunity, the coming years represent both enormous challenge and possibility.
Scantec is uniquely well positioned in this environment — bringing decades of experience recruiting for the nuclear and technical sectors, with deep understanding of what “experienced talent” really means in practice. Below, we explore why demand is rising so strongly, what skills are most in need, and how Scantec helps bridge the gap.
Why Demand Is Growing
New Projects and Approvals
The government has recently approved or green-lit several major nuclear power station projects — including Hinkley Point C, Sizewell C, and proposals like Bradwell B and Wylfa. These new builds, together with planned small modular reactors (SMRs) and advanced nuclear programs, require large, skilled workforces.
Workforce Growth & Industry Forecasts
The UK nuclear workforce has already grown significantly. Between 2021 and 2024, employment in the nuclear power sector rose by about 35%, reaching some 87,000 workers. Projections suggest that the engineering construction side of the nuclear sector may grow by nearly 30% by 2030. (World Nuclear News)
Skills Shortages / Ageing Workforce
Many in the current workforce are highly experienced and over decades of service. As older reactors reach end of life, new construction begins, and decommissioning accelerates, the need to transfer knowledge and retain / recruit people with nuclear-specific safety, regulatory, project delivery, and technical expertise is acute. (World Nuclear News)
Regulation, Compliance & Specialist Roles
Nuclear is not like many other engineering sectors. There are high regulatory, safety, clearance, and licensing demands. Staff who have worked in nuclear settings, who understand nuclear protocols (e.g. safety inspections, quality assurance, waste handling, nuclear materials, radiation protection etc.), or who hold security clearances are particularly scarce. This further increases demand for experienced talent.
What Skills & Roles Are in Greatest Demand
- Engineering disciplines (mechanical, electrical, civil) with nuclear / high-hazard experience
- Project management and controls, particularly for multi-contract, multi-stakeholder new builds
- Skilled trades (welders, pipefitters, electricians) with relevant certifications and nuclear compliance experience
- Regulatory / inspection / quality / safety specialists who understand nuclear legislation, site licensing, statutory regulation
- Support roles: waste management, environmental compliance, inspections, security clearances
- Professionals familiar with SMRs and advanced nuclear technologies
Scantec’s Strengths: Why We’re the Partner of Choice
Scantec brings together a combination of deep sector experience, specialist recruiting capability, compliance focus, and a proven track record. Key strengths:
- Decades of experience in nuclear and defence recruitment: Scantec has worked in the nuclear & defence sectors for over 30 years. Many of our consultants have been specialising in these areas for five, ten, even twenty years. That means strong domain knowledge — what qualifications count, what clearances are required, what behavioural competencies are non-negotiable.
- Specialised teams and long-serving consultants: Our engineering, project services, technical and skilled trades teams include people who understand both the technical demands and the cultural / regulatory expectations of nuclear employers. Scantec doesn’t “dabble” in nuclear — it’s one of our core sectors.
- Access to highly qualified, experienced personnel: Because of our ongoing work in permanent and contract roles, as well as in temporary staffing for nuclear projects (including roles requiring SC / DV clearance), we maintain a pipeline of experienced people who are ready to hit the ground running.
- Strong compliance track record: With nuclear, safety and compliance are paramount. Scantec’s understanding of the regulatory, safety, and clearance environment ensures that clients get candidates who satisfy not only the technical skills but also the legal, safety, and regulatory requirements.
- Flexibility and scalability: Given the pace of nuclear project ramp-ups, clients need providers who can scale rapidly. Whether it’s large new builds, first-of-a-kind SMRs, or decommissioning, Scantec has shown ability to supply on both large and small scale, contract or permanent, with hybrid or site-based working as necessary.
Challenges and How to Overcome Them
Of course, as demand surges, there are several challenges:
- Competition for senior, nuclear-experienced talent is intense. Employers are often bidding for the same pool of people.
- Long lead times for training, clearance, certification mean you can’t just hire talent overnight.
- Geographical constraints: Many nuclear sites are remote or cost of living is high; relocation or travel may be needed.
- Attrition of experienced workforce: Experience matters hugely in nuclear. Losing senior staff without succession / mentoring plans can cause loss of institutional knowledge.
Scantec helps address these by:
- Maintaining relationships with passive / currently in-role talent to be ready for when new roles open up
- Supporting career transitions into nuclear, leveraging transferable skills + offering guidance on certification / clearance requirements
- Working with clients to understand and incorporate realistic timelines for hiring, training, certification and onboarding
- Assisting in employer branding / candidate value propositions: many experienced people want to understand how projects are managed, safety culture, regulatory compliance, long-term stability etc.
The Opportunity For Candidates & Employers Alike
For candidates with nuclear experience:
- There is a window of opportunity to step into leadership, mentoring, specialist technical roles.
- Those with clearances, certifications, and a track record will be in high demand.
- Transition skills (e.g. project management, safety, engineering disciplines) are increasingly valuable.
For employers:
- Investing in retaining and upskilling current staff will be just as important as hiring from outside.
- Building partnerships with recruitment specialists who “get” nuclear (not just general engineering) will reduce risk.
- Establishing clear competency frameworks, safety culture, and transparent pathways for career progression will help attract and retain the best.
Looking Ahead: The Role Scantec Will Play
As the UK continues this new nuclear chapter:
- We intend to continue expanding our specialist nuclear skills teams, staying ahead of what is needed on the latest projects.
- We will maintain and grow our candidate pipelines, especially for roles that historically have been hard to fill (e.g. welders with nuclear accreditation, regulatory specialists).
- We will continue collaborating with training and certification bodies to help bridge the skills-gap, ensuring promised projects aren’t delayed by lack of qualified personnel.
- We’ll strive to support clients so they can meet their timelines — helping reduce project risk by ensuring the right people are in place when needed.
Conclusion
The UK’s nuclear renaissance is more than just an energy policy: it is a call to arms for skilled, experienced talent. With major new builds in progress or upcoming, small modular and advanced reactors on the horizon, and government commitment in place, demand for nuclear-experienced professionals has never been higher. For organisations that can find and secure that experience, the rewards are significant — both in delivering projects safely and on time, and in building capacity that will serve the UK’s energy needs for decades.
At Scantec, we don’t just understand the promise of this moment — we’ve built our business around it. We’re ready to help clients find the people who will make it a reality, and to help candidates take advantage of the opportunity.
If you’d like to discuss your staffing needs in nuclear (new build, SMR, decommissioning, or operations), or are a professional seeking your next role, get in touch with our specialist team.
