Return of nuclear power to Europe, recruitment challenge

2024-07-05 08:09:29

In order to guarantee its electricity supply, the European Union is preparing to restart nuclear power. The department recruits by offering attractive salaries, quality working conditions and opportunities for social advancement to candidates. But there is a shortage of workers.

Long divided on nuclear energy, the European Union has learned from the energy crisis caused by the war in Ukraine. With this goal: to guarantee the supply of electricity thanks to the revival of the atom. Since COP28 in Dubai in 2023, 25 countries, including more than a dozen in Europe, aim to triple their nuclear power output by 2050. But one important element is missing: skilled workers.

The work is tense

There is a lack of welders, engineers, technicians and even radioactive waste treatment specialists… Although these are the professions of the future, insist the electricians. In France alone, 100,000 workers must be employed by 2033. In the United Kingdom, 123,000 positions must be filled in the next ten years. A major recruitment ad took place on the London Underground. Six reactors are currently operating in Sweden. However, the Swedish government estimates that less than ten will be needed to meet energy demand in transportation and industry.

However, the candidates are missing. The lack of work is so severe that some companies are still hiring people who have retired.

Branch and nothing brings us dreams

The reasons vary depending on the country. In France, these problems are often attributed to the loss of knowledge of the French nuclear sector after a long period of absence of projects in the years 1990-2000. Add to this are construction delays or constantly changing processes. The department still doesn’t let people dream. The result: Current employees retire taking their knowledge with them. Schools have also fallen behind. Solar and wind power, which are more publicized, attract more young people.

Attract new talent

Attractive salaries, quality working conditions and opportunities for upward mobility are offered to candidates. We encourage rewriting during studies or during work. Interests are the types of courses offered to job seekers. Finally, we hire experts from other companies.

However, some NGOs, against nuclear power, warn against the closeness of the projects: the sector makes great use of partners to meet the needs related to construction, they say. But it happens that the working conditions of the principal and partner are not the same.

In France, EDF will have to maintain 57 existing reactors and build six new ones for more than 67 billion euros. The team is recruiting heavily. 4,500 new positions were offered in the nuclear sector. Just in the year 2024.

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