Tag: Construction

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Xudabao 4 Modular Construction

What’s Happening at Xudabao 4?

  • Xudabao Nuclear Power Plant in Liaoning Province is advancing with Unit 4, which is part of a series of large-scale reactors using VVER-1200 technology supplied by Russia’s Rosatom.
  • Recent announcements highlight:
    • Civil construction milestones: Reactor building and containment structures progressing rapidly.
    • International collaboration: Russian technology integrated with Chinese project management and supply chains.
    • Strategic energy goals: China is accelerating nuclear deployment to meet carbon neutrality targets by 2060.

Connecting to UK Modular Construction

While China is building gigawatt-scale reactors, the UK is pioneering modular construction through:

  • Hinkley Point C: Using modular assembly for major components to reduce on-site complexity.
  • Sizewell C: Expected to replicate modular efficiencies.
  • SMRs (Small Modular Reactors): Rolls-Royce-led program aiming for factory-built modules for faster deployment.

Why this matters for nuclear careers:

  • China’s approach shows the continued relevance of large-scale nuclear expertise globally.
  • UK’s modular trend creates demand for new skills: digital design, off-site fabrication, logistics, and advanced QA/QC processes.
  • Professionals who understand both traditional and modular methods will be highly sought after as the industry diversifies.

Global nuclear strategies are diverging, China is scaling up with mega-reactors, while the UK is innovating with modular builds. For professionals, this means opportunity: mastering modular construction techniques and digital workflows will be key to driving efficiency and sustainability in the next generation of nuclear projects.

Picture: Rosatom

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Milton Park Innovation Community

It had been a long time since we’d been down to Milton Park and what a fantastic community it has grown to be.

Based in South Oxfordshire, Milton Park is a hub of innovation with impressive buildings, labs, cafes, restaurants and the coming together of many industries.

Tokamak Energy, Nuvia, TE Magnetics, AECOM, Baker Hughes, ESR Technology, Endeavor Engineering, and Bouygues UK are just a few names in energy, engineering and construction located at the park.

With the Oxford-Cambridge corridor being developed, Milton Park is a key hub within this infrastructure due to its geographical location and its strong & varied community. Emerging technologies, talent, strong research capabilities, connectivity, R&D, and support from institutional investments are just a few reasons why Oxfordshire is a powerhouse for business.

If you are a business based on the park who would benefit from utilising experienced recruitment & hiring strategies and solutions, reach out to us today to find out more about our services.

Picture: miltonpark.co.uk

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Nuclear Careers

Hiring for Tomorrow, Today: Nuclear & Energy Infrastructure

Our aim at Nuclear Careers is to work with a broad mix of clients such as engineering consultants, construction managers, civil contractors, defence organisations, and manufacturers. The common thread is that these businesses, whether SME or larger companies, all have links to nuclear & energy infrastructure.

Why is this our focus? We have a passion that major projects can succeed and in no point in time has infrastructure mattered more than it has today, with nuclear and energy – and success starts with skills & talent.

Britain is riding a wave of financing and funding right now, so while the times are good, recruitment tends to take a back seat. We know that hiring has and is going on; however, there have also been many layoffs, halted projects and companies pivoting focus. Unemployment is high, and the ever-growing skills gap has not been addressed.

2026 will see an increased demand for mid-career to executive level hires within engineering and project delivery roles, but if some businesses aren’t careful, the top talent will go elsewhere.

Gone are the days when you can solely rely on brand, “if you build it, they will come…”, and with global mobility being more of the norm nowadays, we aren’t just in competition nationally for good candidates.

Hiring top talent needs to start today, not yesterday, not last week, but now. Yes, there is an element of risk, the unknown, and uncertainty, but another thing is for sure, we must hire more candidates into the sector if we are going to achieve all our grand plans.

Having an idea is one thing, implementing it is another, and having the right people to support the delivery is crucial.

At Nuclear Careers we understand hiring and we have the talent network – we’ve been talking to business leaders throughout the UK and beyond, so we know what matters.

We’re excited to build the future with our clients, whether it’s a small local business or a larger national or even international organisation, powering nuclear and energy is the goal.

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Future Talent: Women in Construction

Unlocking an Overlooked Talent Pool: Women in Construction & What Nuclear Can Learn 💡

As the construction sector accelerates efforts to diversify its workforce, the nuclear industry stands to benefit from similar strategies. Two recent initiatives highlight ways to systematically empower women in traditionally male-dominated fields—and their lessons are directly transferable to nuclear careers.

1. Women in Construction: The Power Within Training

Founded by Michaela Wain, Enas Fleming, and James Fleming, this UK initiative offers leadership and mindset development tailored for women entering and advancing in construction.

  • Leadership training through Motivational Intelligence (MQ): The program equips women with communication, resilience, and self-belief skills—key for navigating workplace biases.
  • Holistic development community: A supportive space combining free webinars, eBooks, and workshops creates a network of peers and mentors.
  • Proven impact: Participants are rising into leadership roles, leading cultural initiatives, and being promoted faster than industry averages.

2. Industry Push to Retain Women Apprentices

Data from the Construction & Industry Training Board reveals a 65% surge in women starting apprenticeships over five years; completion rates have more than doubled, from ~340 to 930 annually.

  • Despite this progress, women still occupy just 1% of site-based roles—underscoring the need for retention strategies.
  • Major drivers of early exits include lack of support, poor workplace culture, and few visible role models.
  • Programs blending technical skills with emotional resilience training, and creating mentorship structures, have shown measurable success: more women complete apprenticeships and take leadership roles.

Sources: [women-in-c…tion.co.uk], [waterpower…gazine.com]

What Nuclear Can Learn & Implement

🛠️ 1. Combine Technical Training with Mindset Development

  • Like construction, early-career nuclear roles (e.g., apprenticeships, engineering cadets) benefit when enriched with MQ-style workshops on communication and confidence.

👥 2. Build Supportive Communities

  • Create mentorship networks and peer groups, promoting belonging and shared guidance. Nuclear apprentices or junior staff mentoring each other and collaborating with senior women builds long-term retention.

🚀 3. Champion and Showcase Leadership Role Models

  • Promote successful women in nuclear operations, engineering, regulation, and leadership, amplifying diverse voices to inspire incoming talent—especially at site or operational levels.

⚖️ 4. Embed Equity in Culture

  • Tackle structural barriers: ensure equitable pay, flexible working, inclusive culture training, and safe grievance channels. This makes commitment to diversity more than just a tick box.

📈 5. Track Impact through Data

  • Monitor hires, retention, progression, and workplace satisfaction by gender. Use results to refine programs and demonstrate ROI—mirroring the proof-backed benefits construction is seeing.
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Tihange 3: Modernising for a Resilient Nuclear Future

Belgium’s energy strategy is evolving, and Tihange 3 is at the centre of this transformation. As part of a landmark 2023 agreement between Engie and the Belgian government, the 1,030 MWe pressurised water reactor (PWR) —commissioned in 1985—will undergo a major modernisation to extend its operational life by a decade.

Framatome has been entrusted with upgrading the reactor’s rod control system, a critical component for safe and precise power regulation. The project involves replacing legacy control cabinets with Framatome’s advanced Rodline technology, ensuring enhanced reliability and automatic failover capabilities. This upgrade is not just technical—it’s strategic. It reflects Belgium’s pivot from nuclear phase-out to long-term energy security, driven by geopolitical realities and the need for low-carbon baseload power.

The modernisation aligns with broader European trends: leveraging proven nuclear assets while integrating cutting-edge instrumentation and control systems. For professionals in the nuclear sector, this initiative underscores the growing demand for expertise in life extension programs, digital modernisation, and regulatory compliance.

As Laurent Thieffry of Framatome notes, this partnership is “part of a long-term vision,” signalling opportunities for engineers, project managers, and innovators committed to shaping a resilient, sustainable energy future.

Full press release: https://newsroom.engie.com/actualites/closing-de-laccord-entre-engie-et-le-gouvernement-belge-df4b7-ff316.html

Picture: enercore.global

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