Process Operator Apprenticeship
Job Introduction
NNL is not like any other business, and our Apprenticeships are like no other. Our Apprentices are our future, which is why we have a dedicated apprentice programme – ‘Beginner to Winner’ – which supports our apprentices in their personal development whilst they are completing their apprenticeship.
To welcome you into the business, all our NNL apprentices join a 4 day induction programme. This will give you an understanding of the business, the programme you will follow and what we’ll expect from you during your apprenticeship. Following your induction, you’ll attend training sessions focusing on personal development at three monthly intervals. These cover a range of skills from time management to team working. We’ll learn about you together.
We even have a dedicated apprentice co-ordinator who is there to ensure that you are settling into your apprenticeship at NNL, both in the workplace and at College.
This apprenticeship will commence from the first week of September 2019.
Role Responsibility
The Waste & Residues Processing Team within the National Nuclear Laboratory carries out chemical treatment on a range of process residues from across the Nuclear Industry.
You will be joining a team of Process Technicians, Laboratory Technicians, Chemists and Chemical Engineers who collectively develop, test and implement bespoke processing solutions, utilising the National Nuclear Laboratory’s “Flexible Processing Facility” located in the Preston Laboratory.
As part of the Process Operator Apprenticeship, you will:
- Be trained to operate a variety of batch chemical processes (e.g. filtration, dissolvers, leach vessels, precipitators), which will include the loading and unloading of drummed chemicals and residues.
- Follow operating instructions to ensure regulatory and nuclear site licence compliance.
- Be trained to operate laboratory analytical equipment to support operations.
- Be required to record operations (via log book, run sheet) to support development work.
The majority of the work will require the use of Personal Protective Equipment.
For this apprenticeship you will follow the Maintenance and Operations Engineering Technician Standard apprenticeship standard at Level 3. Further details about the standards including the assessment plan can be found at:
As part of your apprenticeship, you will gain both on the job experience in the workplace, whilst earning a salary and undertaking the necessary training to complete a qualification at a local college provider on a day release basis. Your first year of your apprenticeship will be based on-site full time at the onsite training school.
The Ideal Candidate
You’ll already have a good academic background when you apply for an apprenticeship with us. You should have attained or be on track to achieving 5 GCSE's A*-C (9-4 new grading) including Maths & English. But that’s not all you’ll need.
We’re looking for bright, enthusiastic achievers who’ll want to be part of our mission to grow the nuclear industry and are passionate about manufacturing/engineering and problem solving. Applicants must be 16 or over.
National Nuclear Laboratory