BLACKBURN based nuclear firm Assystem has unveiled an ambitious plan to recruit 100 women to engineering roles.

The move comes as part of an attempt to address gender imbalances in the sector, with studies showing that women make up just 22 per cent of the nuclear workforce and just 19 per cent of those studying engineering at university.

The new graduate opportunities, opened to women studying STEM subjects, will mix on-the-job training with Assystem’s in-house technical training and mentoring, offering what the company hopes will be a more accessible route into the industry.

Simon Barber, Managing Director Assystem said: “This programme is about doing a better job of promoting the nuclear industry to women with the aim of increasing the number that apply for jobs with us.

“Nuclear can create low-carbon electricity and climate neutral hydrogen, energy that is vital to power healthcare, our economy and save the planet.

“Our message to women in STEM is, if you want to be a part of a critical industry that helps to fight climate change, nuclear is it.”

Lancashire Telegraph:

Assystem's Blackburn headquarters 

Assystem, with UK head offices at Innovation Centre Evolution Park on Haslingden Road in Blackburn, as well as bases in Bristol, Sunderland and London, are suppliers to the nuclear industry, supporting the development of the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station and the UK SMR programme as well as being a leading nuclear fusion engineering company.

Starting this year, the company says it plans to increase its communication about nuclear industry careers to women’s networks in universities as part of the company’s gender diversity programme, #INCREDIBLEWOMEN, focused on the recruitment, retention and evolution of women in the business, which hopes to recruit 100 candidates between 2021 and 2025.

The new roles will focus on cultivating technical skills in specific areas of engineering support to the European Pressurised Water Reactor (EPR), the nuclear technology at the heart of the nuclear power stations Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C.

Assystem says that this can help lay the groundwork for long and fulfilling careers for those participating in the scheme.

Anyone interested in applying for the graduate engineering scheme can do by submitting their CV and cover letter to graduates@assystem.com.