By Gemma Nixon, Nuclear Recruiter at Astute People

The UK government’s recent £14.2 billion investment in Sizewell C marks a pivotal moment for nuclear energy in Britain.

This funding not only underlines our commitment to Net Zero, but it also spells unprecedented demand for skilled professionals across construction, engineering, project management, and beyond.

With around 10,000 new jobs anticipated at peak construction and a need to power 6 million homes, the urgency to secure nuclear talent has never been clearer.

The state of Nuclear recruitment

Ageing Workforce

The nuclear industry has long grappled with an ageing workforce.

Many seasoned engineers, technical specialists, and project managers are due to retire within the next decade. In fact, the broader energy sector is expected to require 150,000 new workers by 2030, spanning nuclear, renewables, and defence.²

Without an aggressive pipeline of new hires, we risk serious bottlenecks across Sizewell C and other critical projects.

Security Clearance Delays

Most nuclear roles require DV or SC clearance, a process that can take several months.

Candidates often abandon their applications turning instead to industries with faster onboarding.

As recruiters, we’re seeing tech and renewables actively poaching talent during these long waits, which poses a major retention challenge in nuclear.

Competition from Other Sectors

Despite its stable and rewarding career prospects, nuclear often loses out to sectors like oil & gas, defence, and advanced manufacturing, especially when those fields offer quicker entry and more flexible career paths.

Nuclear jobs in high demand

With Sizewell C ramping construction and SMR programmes in parallel (including £2.5 billion allocated to Rolls-Royce SMRs)³, key roles that will be in intensified demand include:

Project Managers & Programme Directors (nuclear background essential)

Civil & Structural Engineers (with megaproject credentials)

Mechanical, Electrical & Instrumentation Engineers (especially PWR experience)

QA/QC & HSE Specialists (nuclear compliance critical)

Construction Supervisors & Trades Leads (concrete, specialised piping, heavy plant)

Commissioning Engineers & Site Startup Teams

SecurityCleared Project Coordinators (SC/DV essential)

Schedule & Cost Control Analysts (experience with multibillionpound projects)

Why firms are opting for contract solutions

Given the swelling demand and long lead times to recruit permanent staff, especially cleared roles, many companies are pivoting to contract and interim hires:

Agility: Contractors allow for rapid scaleup and down according to project phases.

Specialism: Companies can target niche skillsets for civil, mechanical, or nuclear commissioning.

Speed: Contractors approved in-house can start quicker than those awaiting full site clearance.

At Astute People, we’ve already seen a 40% increase in contractor roles since the £14.2 billion announcement.

Companies are increasingly seeking cleared, experienced professionals who can fluidly integrate into project phases, from groundworks to reactor commissioning.

Data-driven hiring

These figures reflect both the scale of the challenge and opportunity.

With 10,000 jobs expected at peak construction¹ and the UK energy sector projected to add 150,000 workers by 2030², demand is intensifying across technical, project management, and securitycleared roles.

How employers can stay competitive

Fast-track Clearance – Streamline DV/SC sponsorship and provide dedicated support to candidates during the clearance process.

Contract-to-permanent options – Offer contractors pathways into permanent roles, helping retain talent and saving cost on repeated onboarding.

Employer brand in Nuclear – Highlight the stability of nuclear careers, the opportunity to work on national infrastructure, the contribution to Net Zero, and access to training and cross-generational mentoring.

Apprenticeships & returner schemes – Invest in training schemes that bring in fresh talent. Apprenticeships bridge skills gaps while future-proofing the workforce.

Strategic recruitment partnerships – Develop long-term partnerships with trusted recruitment specialists that have deep sector expertise. Strategic collaborations, such as Astute People’s People Plus solution,can significantly reduce hiring times and ensure consistent access to vetted, security-cleared, and project-ready professionals. Mutual investment in outcomes leads to better retention, greater agility, and stronger alignment between workforce needs and delivery timelines.

Closing thoughts

The UK nuclear renaissance isn’t just an infrastructure story, it’s fundamentally a talent story.

As Gemma Nixon at Astute People, I see firsthand the pressure and privilege of sourcing candidates who will build, manage, and commission Sizewell C.

We must fix the recruitment pipeline now: shortening clearance times, embracing contract routes, and showcasing the incredible potential nuclear offers as a career.

If your company is looking for nuclear talent, or if you’re an engineer, project manager, or technical specialist ready to make your mark, let’s connect.

About Astute People

Astute People specialises in nuclear recruitment across the UK, supplying permanent and contract experts, from construction leads to security-cleared engineers, helping fuel projects like Sizewell C, SMRs, and decommissioning programmes.

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