The Nuclear Industry Association has published its annual jobs map of the UK for 2019, that shows nearly 60,000 people are employed in the civil nuclear sector across the UK, equivalent to the aerospace manufacturing industry. The South West is noted as an employment hotspot for the industry, primarily due to new build activity at Hinkley Point C but also for decommissioning, waste management and research.
The @NIAUK's 2019 jobs map is out now! Find out what roles are in the #UK's #nuclear sector today at https://t.co/YXonvh1jWN #RediscoverNuclear pic.twitter.com/aCaKQSkyVu
— Nuclear Industry Association (@NIAUK) September 18, 2019
The figures, taken from surveys of NIA members, reveal that nuclear jobs in the immediate Bristol area have increased by 10% on 2018. Both the Bristol West and Gloucester constituencies sit in the top ten in the country for nuclear jobs, thanks to significant operational presence for both new build and decommissioning by EDF Energy.
The Bridgwater and North Somerset constituency is unsurprisingly the home to the second-largest number of nuclear workers, behind the Copeland seat that covers Sellafield. The map reports 6442 workers here, up from 5458 in 2018.
UK Nuclear Jobs Map 2019
Tom Greatrex, Chief Executive of the NIA said:
“Our detailed survey of members shows consistent employment levels between 55,000 and 65,000 over the past 5 years spread across the UK in both urban and rural regions. The nuclear sector is a great example of how it’s possible to create widespread jobs and prosperity whilst contributing to the 2050 carbon reduction target. Net zero need not mean economic pain."
You can explore the interactive jobs map here, which breaks down the jobs by parliamentary constituency and company.