UK Capenhurst
Apprenticeships
Key information:
Qualifications: Level 3 and above
Disciplines: IT, Finance, engineering, other corporate functions and business professional qualifications.
Duration: 1-4 years
Entry requirements: GCSE English and Maths (Grades above 4, or C equivalent).
Apprenticeships
Our commitment to a people-centric workplace includes creating an open and inclusive environment, supporting diversity, and offering various initiatives for a positive work experience. We prioritise your career growth, providing resources for a true work-life balance and personal development, helping you to become the best version of yourself during your time with us.
Entry requirements
For all of our apprentice positions, we require a grade 4 or above (or equivalent) in GCSE Maths and English. More specific requirements are detailed in each position.
Engineering apprenticeships
We are incredibly proud of our annual apprentice engineer cohort, hiring 10-20 apprentices yearly in various engineering disciplines.
We offer fully funded, full-time paid apprenticeships in process, mechanical, and electrical engineering. These four-year positions provide hands-on experience working alongside industry experts and the opportunity to attain your Level 3 qualification.
Your first two years will be spent training onsite at TTE (Training Tomorrow's Engineers). The remaining two years will involve onsite work with your line manager, where you will put into practice all the skills you have developed in college.
- Application process
Apply to our scheme through the TTE portal.
TTE don’t have a particular section for people to show an interest in certain employers. Therefore, we would suggest to state your direct interest in Urenco, and would encourage you to add your specific application to our company on the ‘Why TTE?’ or ‘Hobbies and Interests’ section.
Complete an initial interview and aptitude tests via TTE.
Successful candidates are invited to attend our yearly apprentice assessment centre, which is typically hosted at the end of May each year. Here, we assess your skills, behaviours and drivers.
We will then offer successful candidates placements for a September start at college.
Commercial apprenticeships
At our Capenhurst office, we also offer commercial graduate positions. These are business required positions within our People and Culture, Operations or Logistics departments. They can include procurement, finance, security, HR, HSSE and others.
Our apprenticeships enable you to become an employee whilst completing a structured learning programme to achieve a qualification, under the guidance of a sponsored third-party training company. Apprenticeships involve a combination of on-the-job training and classroom-based instruction.
- Application process
Our first round of applications is facilitated by our training provider, TTE (training Tomorrow's Engineers.
TTE don’t have a particular section for people to show an interest in certain employers and therefore to state your direct interest in Urenco, but we encourage people to add any interest onto their ‘Why TTE?’ or ‘Hobbies and Interests’ section.
If you have any questions, please let us know – you can contact us at earlycareers@urenco.com
TTE will host first round interviews and ability tests, and once these are complete and we have completed our own internal portfolio reviews, you may be invited to an assessment centre.
These will take place in May half term near Ellesmere Port, all of our hiring decisions will be made based on performance on this day so unfortunately no other options are available.
You will rotate across tasks, meet the line managers and former apprentices and get to know about Urenco.
Our offers are administered through TTE in June for September starts.
Find out more
Meet our past and present apprentices
Caitlin
Operations Apprentice, Capenhurst (UK)
Caitlin is based at our Tails Management Facility in Capenhurst, UK, and is one of 1,700 apprentices currently working in the UK civil nuclear industry. She is in her final year of her Apprenticeship as a Process Operator working in a team which manages the by-product of enriched uranium. In October of 2022, Caitlin transitioned from days to shifts where she has been training in infrastructure and the deconversion process.
She started studying at a Technical Training college (TTE) before taking up a job with Urenco.
Caitlin commented: “I really enjoy working on TMF and have enjoyed even more transitioning onto shifts. I have been training on new areas of the site and progressing in my training and development as an operations apprentice!”
“I’m now able to visualise what I learn at college in a working environment.”
Caitlin previously completed A-levels in engineering, IT and product design.
She added: “In my opinion, I would 100 per cent recommend apprenticeships to anyone instead of university. It provides you with so many opportunities – you are earning on the job and learning on the job.”
Tom
Procurement Apprentice
In support of my role as Procurement Apprentice at our Capenhurst site, I am also studying academically towards my level 4 Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply qualification. It is really interesting to both learn on-the-job and study at the same time.
Urenco is a front runner within the nuclear industry, not only through enriching uranium, but also their strides and commitments to a sustainable future. As a company they have pledged to be net zero in certain areas by 2030. Ten years ahead of the Climate Pledge and twenty years earlier than the Paris agreement. That’s one of the reasons why I chose Urenco, they made it clear to me that they are serious about slowing down and eventually stopping climate change. I think nuclear power is the key to a greener future and how humanity can continue to prosper without damaging the natural environment.
Urenco as a company is excellent. It’s supportive and provides exciting opportunities; whether that's being in the Young Person Network, or achieving longer term career goals. I joined the apprenticeship straight after studying my A levels, and it was the best thing I’ve done. I have developed skills in procurement and additionally I have learnt life lessons, which I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to learn had I gone into full time education. For example, establishing a strong working routine which suits my work life balance, and ability to mature into the world of work.
In terms of procurement skills, I have learnt so much already. Communicating with suppliers and directly supporting Urenco’s business operations has been an invaluable opportunity and one which I feel I am improving on each week. Balancing work and study is a necessary skill when taking on an apprenticeship role but the benefits are great. After my apprenticeship I hope to stay at Urenco for the foreseeable future.
Callum
Procurement Apprentice
Whilst supporting all of my colleagues here at Urenco, I am also working towards my Level 4 Commercial Procurement and Supply apprenticeship. It is a real interest of mine in working towards my studies whilst also working here at Urenco.
What attracted me to the company was not just their leadership in the nuclear industry in enriching uranium but also Urenco’s clear demonstration in their commitments in making the world a greener and better place. Now working inside the company, it really excites me to get involved in all of this and to be a part of all of the progress we are making as a company. We are working towards being net zero in particular areas by 2030 which is very exciting.
Due to me coming straight from my A-Levels, I have found the workplace environment very unfamiliar however here at Urenco everyone is very supportive, making me aware of all the exciting opportunities which is a huge motivator. One of the great opportunities is the Young Persons Network. I found this a great opportunity as a young apprentice as this has gave me the opportunity to network with a bunch of different people across the whole Capenhurst site.
I have developed many skills in my first few months as an apprentice as there is so much to do and learn. The likes of networking with internal and external stakeholders on a day to day basis. As an apprentice the main skill I have gained so far will be making sure I am always keeping on top of my work load and making sure I learn as much as I can!
Tia
Laboratory Technician Apprentice
I have always wanted a career working in a laboratory because I loved doing experiments within chemistry at school. I knew that an apprenticeship was something that I was interested in and I spent a lot of time exploring my options. What stood out to me about Urenco was that not only do they enrich a quarter of the world’s uranium, but Urenco also use their centrifuge technology to produce stable isotopes for medical, industrial and research applications.
I am extremely fortunate to have a helpful, caring mentor who is guiding me through my on and off the job learning. We have frequent meetings to discuss my progress, look at my short term and long-term goals and any upcoming opportunities that I could be a part of.
During my apprenticeship so far, I have learnt a wide range of skills, such as IT skills when registering samples, practical skills for bench top chemistry work and verbal communication during both courses and weekly meetings. I am thoroughly enjoying developing my career and studies. Something I admire about working in the Chemistry Services department is the openness towards support and guidance from all colleagues. From the very first day I started on site, everyone has been very welcoming and more than happy to answer any questions regarding samples, methods and machinery. Though this is not just the attitude of our department; I can openly say that everyone who works at Urenco has a positive outlook towards not only their job but also others on site.
After completing my apprenticeship, I aim to progress throughout my role in the company, with the hope of continuing to work alongside my colleagues in the Chemistry Services department.
I found the apprenticeship application process very easy to follow. Communication from HR was excellent and I received frequent updates on each stage of the process. Urenco advises everyone to apply regardless of whether or not you fully meet the job specification or have previous experience within the nuclear sector. Therefore, I would recommend everyone who is interested in joining Urenco to apply.