Dounreay, formerly the UK’s centre of fast reactor research and development (from 1955 until 1994) and part of the Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS), is now Scotland’s largest nuclear clean-up and demolition project; and although the reactors have all been shut down, care and maintenance of old plant and decommissioning activities have meant that Dounreay still retains a large workforce and offers an opportunity to be involved in some of the UK’s ‘most leading edge technical projects and develop unique skills and experiences that are highly sought after across the industry’.

Dounreay also continues to run an apprenticeship programme, and as a further 12 apprentices received their certificates from operations director Mick Moore at this year’s awards ceremony, they were encouraged to make the most of opportunities and challenges now open to them. Furthermore, this year saw two new skills recognised, with the first joinery apprentices in 40 years receiving their qualifications, alongside the first quantity surveying apprentices to successfully complete their training course.

This year’s guest speaker was Scrabster Harbour Master Jason Hamilton. He said: “Dounreay has been such a big part of Caithness over the last 60 or more years and hopefully this will continue for decades to come as its investment in our youth and local community is invaluable.”

Mark Rouse, Dounreay’s managing director, added: “It is a proud heritage of long-term investment in young people who join the ranks of highly trained staff. I encourage you to make the most of the exciting opportunities and challenges that are ahead of you as you use your new-found skills to clean up the site and fulfil our mission.”

This year Dounreay has taken on 17 new apprentices who are the 68th group since 1955 to begin their careers in the nuclear industry by joining the site’s apprenticeship schemes.