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Nuclear Week in Parliament

SHEFFIELD FORGEMASTERS — STRENGTH IN STEEL:
SECURING THE UK’S DEFENCE AND ENERGY FUTURE
08:00 to 09:30
Reception
Hosted by Clive Betts MP, Churchill Room,
House of Commons

X-ENERGY — DELIVERING THE NEXT GENERATION OF
NUCLEAR POWER IN PARTNERSHIP
10:30 to 12:00
Reception
Hosted by Lord Wharton, Attlee and Reid Room,
House of Lords

NUCLEAR WEEK IN PARLIAMENT — SKILLS & APPRENTICESHIP FAIR
13:00 – 15:30
Fair
Hosted by Lizzi Collinge MP, Attlee Suite,
Portcullis House

WESTINGHOUSE — CIVIL NUCLEAR POWER: TURNING POTENTIAL INTO DELIVERY
15:30 – 17:00
Reception
Hosted by Andrew Snowden MP, Terrace Pavillion,
House of Commons

NUCLEAR DECOMMISSIONING AUTHORITY — LOCAL IMPACT, NATIONAL GROWTH: HOW THE NDA GROUP IS DELIVERING FOR THE UK
18:00 to 19:30
Reception
Hosted by Irene Campbell MP, Churchill Room,
House of Commons
Invite only

NUCLEAR WEEK IN PARLIAMENT — EXECUTIVE DINNER
19:30 to 22:00
Dinner
Cinnamon Club, Reading Room
Private Event

Nuclear Week in Parliament

KBR/FNC — NUCLEAR NOW: EXPEDITING AI, EMPOWERING
PEOPLE, ENERGISING THE NATION
12:00 to 13:30
Reception
IMechE, Manufacturing Room

FRAMATOME — INTERNATIONAL SKILLS TRANSFER AND
GROWING UK CAPABILITY
13:00 to 14:30
Reception
Hosted by Charlotte Nichols MP, Thames Pavilion,
House of Commons

AMENTUM — ADVANCING NUCLEAR POWER: US-UK
COLLABORATION IN BUILDING A NUCLEAR FUTURE
14:00 to 15:30
Reception
Hosted by Lizzi Collinge MP, Terrace Dining Room A,
House of Commons

AECOM — DELIVERING DIFFERENTLY – SHAPING THE
NUCLEAR ECONOMY
15:30 to 17:00
Panel
Hosted by Baroness Bloomfield, Cholmondeley Room & Terrace,
House of Lords

SIZEWELL C — ANNUAL PROJECT UPDATE 2026
18:00 to 19:30
Briefing
Hosted by Jack Abbott MP, Thames Pavilion,
House of Commons

NUCLEAR WEEK IN PARLIAMENT — NUCLEAR ENERGY
APPG WELCOME RECEPTION

19:30 to 22:00
Reception
Hosted by Charlotte Nichols MP, Terrace Pavilion,
House of Commons
Invite only

Happy New Year 2026!

As we enter the new year, we see this as the perfect time to plan, foster ideas and relationships while leaning into creativity.

Winter is also a time for reflection and ensuring we can all build on work that has already been undertaken.

2025 was, on the whole, a strong year for the nuclear sector. Public opinion was up, nuclear energy infrastructure was visible on a global scale, and there seems to be renewed interest and support for the future of nuclear power in the UK and beyond.

Below we’ve given brief insight to different areas of the nuclear sector in the UK and globally including defence, engineering, construction and waste management. Please reach out to take these conversations further, to continue networking, and to share your expertise.

Defence

The UK Nuclear Defence sector has seen the modernisation of Trident by continuing its investment in the Dreadnought-class submarines, which will replace the Vanguard fleet as part of the Trident nuclear deterrent program. Construction milestones were met, keeping the program on track for the early 2030s.

AUKUS and Strategic Partnerships saw a deepened collaboration, focusing on nuclear-powered submarine technology and advanced defence capabilities.

Where Policies were concerned the UK reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a “minimum credible deterrent,” while supporting NATO’s nuclear posture amid heightened global tensions.

On the global stage nuclear defence trends included U.S. and NATO advancing the modernisation of its nuclear triad, including new ICBMs (Sentinel program) and B-21 bombers. NATO emphasised nuclear deterrence as part of its strategic concept.

Russia: Continued development of novel nuclear delivery systems (e.g., hypersonic weapons, Poseidon underwater drones) amid geopolitical strains.

China: Expanded its nuclear arsenal significantly, moving toward a larger and more diversified deterrent, including silo-based ICBMs and submarine-launched systems.

Arms Control Challenges: The collapse of major treaties like New START renewal talks and growing concerns over arms race dynamics marked 2025 as a year of uncertainty for global nuclear governance.

Engineering & Construction

Last year wasn’t just about policy or energy targets; it was a year defined by engineering ambition and construction milestones that will shape the industry for decades to come.

Hinkley Point C continued to dominate headlines as one of the most complex civil engineering projects in Europe. The site saw major progress, from reactor building completion to the installation of critical components. These achievements weren’t without challenges such as cost pressures and supply chain constraints testing resilience, but the project remains central to Britain’s low-carbon energy future.

Meanwhile, Sizewell C moved from planning into tangible action. Preparatory works accelerated, and engineering contracts expanded to support modular construction techniques, signalling a shift toward efficiency and innovation.

But infrastructure isn’t just about concrete and steel, it’s about people. 2025 highlighted the growing need for skilled engineers, project managers, and technical specialists. Apprenticeships and nuclear-specific training programs gained momentum, ensuring the next generation is ready to deliver on these ambitious projects, yet mid-career to executive level we certainly have an important skills gap to address.

Globally, the story was just as compelling. In the United States, Vogtle Units 3 and 4 marked a historic milestone as the first new reactors in decades entered operation. These projects showcased advanced modular assembly techniques, setting a precedent for future builds.

Across Asia, China continued its rapid expansion, leveraging standardised designs to deploy multiple reactors simultaneously, a feat that underscores the importance of engineering precision and scalability.

India and South Korea also pushed forward with new projects, reinforcing nuclear’s role in energy security.

Innovation was another defining theme. Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) moved from concept to reality, with pilot projects in Canada, the US, and the UK edging closer to licensing and early-stage construction. These designs promise flexibility, faster deployment, and a new era of nuclear engineering that could transform how we think about energy infrastructure.

Waste Management

When we talk about nuclear energy, the conversation often gravitates toward power generation, innovation, and carbon reduction. But behind every reactor and infrastructure project lies a critical responsibility, managing nuclear waste safely and sustainably. In 2025, this area saw significant progress and some pressing challenges that will define the future of the industry.

Across the UK, the focus remained on advancing the Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) program, a cornerstone of long-term waste strategy. Community engagement deepened, with several regions actively participating in site evaluations. This wasn’t just about engineering; it was about building trust and transparency. The year highlighted how technical excellence and social responsibility must go hand in hand when dealing with high-level waste.

Operationally, the UK continued to make strides in interim storage solutions, ensuring that spent fuel and radioactive materials are managed securely while permanent disposal options evolve. Engineering innovation played a key role here, with improved containment systems and digital monitoring technologies enhancing safety standards.

Globally, the narrative was equally dynamic. Finland’s Onkalo repository moved closer to becoming the world’s first operational deep geological facility, a milestone that sets a precedent for others. Sweden and France advanced their own disposal programs, while the United States renewed efforts to resolve long-standing challenges around permanent storage. Meanwhile, countries like Canada and Japan invested heavily in research on advanced waste treatment and recycling technologies, aiming to reduce volumes and recover valuable materials.

One of the most exciting developments was the growing interest in partitioning and transmutation techniques that could dramatically reduce the long-term radiotoxicity of waste. While still in the research phase, these innovations signal a future where waste management is not just about containment but transformation.

For professionals in the nuclear sector, these trends underscore a vital truth, waste management is no longer a back-office function. It’s a front-line discipline requiring expertise in engineering, environmental science, policy, and stakeholder engagement. Careers in this space are expanding, offering opportunities to shape solutions that will safeguard generations to come.

In Conclusion

As we move into 2026, the challenge is clear, how do we accelerate progress while maintaining public confidence and technical rigor? The answer lies in collaboration between governments, industry, and communities, and in the talent that drives innovation forward. If 2025 was a year of groundwork, 2026 must be a year of action.

Remember to contact us to expand on these topics and to discuss how Nuclear Careers can help with your hiring needs in 2026.

Dismantling the Dragon at Winfrith

Located in Dorset and constructed in the 1950’s as a centre of excellence for nuclear reactor research. Dragon was a 20-megawatt power output graphite moderated, helium cooled prototype reactor.

Seven of the nine experimental reactors have been dismantled, and the project is currently at the first of eleven phases to fully dismantle the core.

Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS) are driving innovation forward with this project and Phoebe Lynch, NRS strategic innovation programme manager, said: “All the learning from the initial operational phase of using laser cutting for the Dragon reactor core provided valuable insights into the feasibility, reliability and safety of this technique.”

Over the next few years, the core will be packed into 6m3 concrete intermediate level waste storage boxes, and these will be taken to the Harwell Science & Innovation Park in Oxfordshire.

The long-term aim is that this highly radioactive waste will be permanently stored in the geological disposal facility (GDF) once it is available.

Picture: gov.uk

Thales UK Event: Drones & Cyber Security

Yesterday (04/12/25) we were at the Thales UK offices in Green Park, Reading. The event was arranged as part of the Digital Special Interest Group (DIGSIG) by the Nuclear Institute (NI).

Thales has 33,000 employees in all areas of the globe and 7,800 of those are based in the UK at numerous locations. 4,500 of the total UK number are highly skilled engineers working on a number of different defence related projects. A further 7,000 jobs are supported through the UK supply chain.

Speakers on the day included a graduate software developer looking at drone technology, Operational Technology (OT) Security professional, Security by Design & Supply Chain Lead, Head of Sales & Communications, CNI Account Lead, and a Cyber Security apprentice.

The topics on the day included C-UAS (Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System) and their different uses in places such as prisons and RAF bases. The use of OT systems in different industries including nuclear and defence. The investment and risk in cyber security and Secure by Design (SbD); people and culture have a lot to do with the adoption, running and impact of these systems. Retention and hiring and important aspects as company culture has to be right.

All in all, an interesting morning and lunchtime of conversations with people from EDF, Createc, and the NI – we’ll be looking out for more events of this kind in the future.

Picture: Thales UK

DOE Gives $1 billion loan to Three Mile Island

Constellation Energy is financing Crane Clean Energy Center, formerly known as Three Mile Island (TMI-1), via the Department of Energy (DOE).

It’s a big commitment from the DOE towards restarting the site as part of a 20-year power purchase agreement to power Microsoft’s data centres.

There is still a wait for state permitting, recommissioning work, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s approval.

DOGE downsizing has threatened staff jobs at the Loan Programme Office (LPO) and despite these challenges, the Trump administration is leveraging the LPO to move along his May executive orders.

Due to other positive plant restarts such as Palisades led by Holtec and Duane Arnold led by NextEra Energy, we are remaining optimistic that Crane will also be able to push forward with work.

Source:https://www.ans.org/news/2025-11-20/article-7570/crane-restart-boosted-by-1b-lpo-loan/

Picture: Constellation

Microsoft is First tech Firm to Join WNA

Microsoft joins the World Nuclear Association (WNA), and this seems like a huge milestone for the nuclear sector. When it comes to carbon-free energy technology utilisation, this is exciting!

When you think of one of the world’s leading, most highly thought of and expert tech companies, you combine that with the nuclear sectors’ track-record of delivery, it’s a brilliant strategic moment.

To meet the demands and needs of the digital economy there really is only one energy source that will keep pace, nuclear. We have ambitious climate goals coupled with an increasing demand where technology usage is concerned, and not enough power for renewable alone to handle.

Nuclear energy will be the main, consistent and reliable source for us to rely on, and we will wait to see who else follows Microsoft’s lead.

Picture: World Nuclear Association

Philippines Uses Nuclear Tech to Fight Plastic Pollution

During the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) International High-Level Forum, Filipino President, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., talked about his commitment to addressing plastic issues through nuclear technology.

“It affects biodiversity, public health, supply chains, and the lives of our coastal and urban communities. Addressing it requires going beyond regulation and advocacy. It requires technology that is credible, scalable, grounded in rigorous science,” he said.

The work is part of a global initiative by the IAEA called the Nutec Plastics Initiative, and the Philippines are transforming low-value plastic into reliable, commercially viable materials under the Post-Radiation Reactive Extrusion of Plastic Wastes Project (PREx).

Full story; https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/11/26/news/national/philippines-leverages-nuclear-technology-in-fight-against-plastic-pollution/2231044

Picture: Philippines Presidential Communications Office

Sizewell A Demolished Concrete Used at Sizewell C

Over 15,000 tones worth of concrete will be reused at Sizewell C after being demolished by Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS) at Sizewell A.

The crushed concrete from the former turbine hall will be reused at SZC. The recycled materials have been carefully tested and will be used as sub-bases for various foundation platforms.

This is a process that needs to replicated in other projects as it helps to reduce the carbon footprint, it allows cost to be shared, and it limits the need for newly mined aggregate.

Damian Leydon, Site Delivery Director, Sizewell C, said: “This is another example of how Sizewell C is working with local projects to maximise benefits, not just for us, but for the local community. By reusing this material, we’re reducing the number of trucks transporting aggregate through East Suffolk, while further reaffirming our commitment of minimising our environmental impact during construction. This is great news all round.”

Taken from gov.uk – This initiative has delivered multiple benefits:

Cost savings: Reduced procurement costs from using locally sourced aggregate.
Reduction: Reusing local material avoids the need to transport aggregates from other parts of the country, significantly cutting carbon emissions.
Resource conservation: The reuse of demolition material prevents the need to extract new primary aggregates, preserving natural resources.
Local impact: The material is locally sourced, supporting Sizewell C’s UK content and Suffolk spend targets.
Traffic reduction: Almost 800 vehicle movements will be confined to the vicinity of Sizewell A and Sizewell C, reducing construction traffic on local roads.

Full release; https://www.gov.uk/government/news/sizewell-a-concrete-reused-at-sizewell-c

Picture: gov.uk

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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Tag: Nuclear

Nuclear Week in Parliament

Nuclear Week in Parliament