Dounreay: Creating jobs for young people in the Highlands
Dounreay may have stopped lighting up homes in the Highlands but it’s continuing to power opportunities for young people in the region.
The time it takes to clean up and close down one of the world’s most complex nuclear research sites mean young people can expect to see skills and training opportunities for many years to come.
It’s a decades-long programme of work that requires a steady influx of young people to maintain the skills needed to safely dismantle the legacy of Britain’s 20th century experiment with fast breeder reactors.
More than 1600 people are employed directly on the clean-out, strip-out and demolition of facilities ranging from liquid metal-cooled reactors to chemical plants where spent fuel was recycled and facilities filled with radioactive waste dating back to the 1950s.
It’s not just a huge engineering and project management challenge. Land contaminated by historic radiological and chemical practices needs to be managed, attracting a new generation of talent committed to environmental protection - all of it done under the intense scrutiny of independent regulation.
This year alone, site operator Nuclear Restoration Services created over 50 new opportunities for young people, including 20 new apprenticeship starts.
Now in its 70th year of operation, it’s a remarkable continuation of training programmes that started in 1955 and has seen thousands of a young people in the Highlands and Islands benefit from high-quality indentures.
“Dounreay has a long and proud history of high-quality training for young people across a wide range of disciplines, and I’m delighted we are able to continue this during the decommissioning phase of the site,” said Dave Wilson, managing director of NRS Dounreay.
The site is complex, its decommissioning is challenging, and we can offer superb training and development opportunities at the cutting edge of science and engineering.
Engineering
The site’s four-year engineering apprentice programme is approved by the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET) and Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE). A graduating apprentice is entitled to apply for engineering technician status with the Engineering Council.
Project Management
A new two-year apprenticeship offered for the first time in 2025 and delivered through QA Ltd in Glasgow. SCQF Level 8 Diploma in Project Management is delivered through a mix of on-line, virtual classroom and work-based learning
Business and Administration
Modern Apprenticeships play an important role in developing existing staff and growing new talent. Dounreay offers an 18-month formal training programme for business and administration apprentices.
Built Environment: Quantity Surveying/Estimating
Lasting two years, apprentices undertake training and work experience at Dounreay within project teams, assisting with construction projects on contracting and estimating works and project management support. They attend Inverness Highland College UHI on block release to gain additional skills and qualifications.
Carpentry and Joinery
This apprenticeship is a comprehensive training programme lasting up to four years. Apprentices undertake training and work experience at Dounreay with the estate services team and attend North Highland College UHI on block release to gain additional skills and qualifications. The programme requires completion of SVQ3 (SCQF Level 6) Carpentry and Joinery and a Professional Development Award at Level 5.
Dounreay is also a gateway to opportunities in the nuclear industry across the UK. The site belongs to the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, a public body responsible for 16 other nuclear sites, including Sellafield, with a combined workforce of 17,000.
“Whether you have a scientific background and want to go into engineering or radiological protection, or you’re interested in a career in project management, cyber or finance there’s something for pretty much everyone,” said Jacqueline Longrigg, NDA people development director.
To find out more, visit Dounreaycareers.com