Annex B
TYPICAL CAREER PATHS
The following outline is provided to illustrate
typical career paths in "Nuclear Engineering" within
the NNL.
The NNL strives to offer as broad a grounding
as possible in all facets of the industry for recent graduates
and professional recruits. Once chartered, engineers may choose
to specialise in a particular role or discipline.
EARLY CAREER
Engineers will typically be employed as professional
recruits and immediately registered on the NNL's Monitored Professional
Development Scheme (MPDS). Engineers will undergo training and
gain experience with a view to achieving chartership in, or around
four years. As professional recruits they will also benefit from
a comprehensive behavioural competance training programme. All
staff will have a mentor who will assist them in gaining accreditation
from the relevent institution. A young engineer might expect to
have been exposed to all the major engineering related career
routes on offer such as project management, commercial, team management
and technical specialisation as well as the traditional lead and
principal engineer option.
YOUNG PROFESSIONAL
ENGINEERS
Once chartered, engineers will typically select
a career path to pursue in the early phases of their professional
life. These might be:
- Technical specialism in a particular discipline
such as modelling or control systems leading to a potential "Technical
Lead" appointment.
- Appointment as a "Lead Engineer"
to oversee projects from an assurance perspective.
- Technical specialism in a business area
such as waste management or disposal leading to a potential "Technical
Authority" appointment.
- Appointment as a "Project Engineer"
with a view to persuing a career in Project Management.
Many engineers will embark on a career path
at this stage and continue to build a succesful career in one
discipline, others will aspire to become proficient in a variety
of roles and this is actively encouraged within the NNL.
SENIOR PROFESSIONAL
STAFF
The NNL recognises that individual engineers
will achieve long term career satisfaction in a variety of ways.
Some NNL engineers have developed to become nationally or even
internationally renowned technical specialists whilst others are
providing technical leadership over broad programmes of strategic
importance to the UK. A proportion of engineers have also developed
into senior positions within associated areas such as commercial
or projects or chosen to leave the NNL and pursue a career elsewhere
in the industry.
In summary the "Nuclear Engineer"
within the NNL will posess a grounding in the industry unrivalled
by any other organisation. This is due to the sheer breadth of
activities with which the NNL is associated. NNL engineers are
routinely called upon by government and its agencies to lead and
shape National Policy. The NNL will be well placed to continue
to provide this assistance provided it is entrusted to establish
and deliver long term programmes in the National interest.
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