Developing the Young Workforce North Highland

Full Time, Fixed Term position

Location: NRS Dounreay, Thurso

Salary Range: £15,998 to £22,757

Reference: 302/25

The Design apprenticeship is a comprehensive training programme lasting up to 4 years.  It starts with a year of engineering foundation training at UHI North, West and Hebrides (Thurso) followed by up to 3 years of training and work experience at Dounreay and other locations, with day release for academic studies.  The programme leads to an SCQF Level 7 SVQ in an engineering discipline and requires you to gain a Higher National Diploma in Engineering Systems.

What do I do?

Initially gaining experience alongside Dounreay’s trades staff before moving to work with the design office team, producing and updating drawings using CAD and 3-D modelling.

The Training

Year 1:

• Full Time at UHI NWH – undertaking NC Engineering Systems and SCQF5 SVQ Performing Engineering Operations
• Outward bound course
• Dounreay site placements during college holidays

Year 2:

• Full time at Dounreay site.  On-the-job training and placements across the different areas/workshops
• Day release to UHI NWH to work towards HNC/D Engineering Systems

Years 3 – 4:

• Full Time at the Dounreay site, based with their Design Office teams working towards your competency qualifications
• Day release to UHI NWH, Thurso, to compete HND Engineering Systems and begin Degree programme

Requirements:

• Have achieved (or expect to achieve) a minimum of National 5 (Grades A-C) or equivalent in Maths, Physics or Engineering Science and a Technical subject
• Have good communication, team working and problem solving skills
• Able to demonstrate a practical interest in Engineering
• For Electrical and Instrument applicants there is a requirement to pass a colour vision assessment
• Able to commute to the Dounreay site and UHI NWH Thurso

NRS attracts an excellent Benefits package:

• Standard full time working week with every third Friday off, 33 minutes for lunch and paid overtime available
• Annual leave entitlement of 28 days, and in addition, 8 days statutory public holidays, 2 and a half days privilege holidays and 2 and a half days Christmas/New Year closure holidays
• Up to 13.5% employer pension contribution depending on individual contribution amount.
• Annual company bonus payment of up to 5% basic salary as at 31 March
• Relocation assistance (where appropriate)
• Dounreay recognises individual and team achievements or exemplary safe behaviour through the award of vouchers
• Maternity leave, adoption leave, shared parental leave and paternity leave that offers enhanced payments above the statutory minimum requirements for qualifying employees
• Additional paid time off for training purposes for local volunteer services such as the retained Fire Service, the Coastguard Rescue Service and Scottish Mountain Rescue. NRS also provide the same support to our employees in the Reserve Forces
• Access to onsite Occupational Health Service
• Access to Aviva Digicare+ Workplace Health package which includes free annual health check, access to a digital GP, nutritional consultations, mental health consultations and second medical opinions
• Employee Assistance Programme including 24-hour telephone support & personal assistance service and access to an online wellbeing App
• Cycle to work and reduced gym membership fees
• Company sick pay scheme
• Access to training and development through the company performance management arrangements, supporting you in maintaining your personal Continuous Professional Development
• Dounreay have various different employee networks supporting their inclusion, diversity and wellbeing mission at Nuclear Restoration Services Limited (NRS)

Dounreay are committed to creating a workplace that is diverse and inclusive. They value the unique differences that each of their colleagues bring to work every day and are committed to creating an environment where everyone feels respected, included and able to perform at their best. Dounreay therefore actively welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds, with different experiences and perspectives and is committed to ensuring that they work in an inclusive way that means everyone can perform at their best.

Dounreay is a member of the disability confident scheme, that guarantee to interview all candidates who have a disability who meet all of the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where there is a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all of the essential criteria, Dounreay will interview the best candidates from within that group.