People across the UK with the ambition to build a career in nuclear now have a new opportunity to take their next step, as the Nuclear Bursary opens for applications. Funded through the Nuclear Skills Plan and delivered by the National Skills Academy for Nuclear (NSAN), the bursary is designed to remove barriers to training and help more people access careers in one of the UK’s fastest‑growing and most strategically important sectors.
The bursary aims to “break down barriers to training and help unlock careers in one of the country’s most vital and fast‑growing sectors”. It is open to school leavers, students, adult learners and career changers aged 18 or over who have the right to live and work in the UK.
Supporting Talent From Every Background
The UK’s civil and defence nuclear sectors are entering a period of unprecedented growth, creating demand for skilled people across engineering, operations, digital, project management, environmental protection, safety, science, business support and more.
The bursary is specifically designed to support individuals who may face financial or personal barriers to progressing into training or education. This could include low household income, eligibility for means‑tested benefits, or living in areas of high deprivation or low participation in further or higher education.
Mark Rouse, Nuclear Skills Director of the Nuclear Sector Skills Team, emphasises the importance of widening access: “The Nuclear Bursary is about creating real opportunity and making sure talent is not held back by circumstance… This is an investment in ambition, inclusion and the workforce the UK needs for the years ahead.”
A Practical Route Into Nuclear Careers
Successful applicants will receive financial support to help them achieve their training or education goals, alongside access to industry‑leading resources, mentoring and training support. As NSAN Managing Director Tricia Austin explains, “For many people, the biggest barrier to progressing into training or education is not talent, it is access to support.”
The bursary forms part of the wider Nuclear Skills Plan, which brings together government, industry and education providers to deliver the skilled workforce and 24,000 additional jobs required in the nuclear sector by 2030.
Why This Matters for the South West
For the South West, this initiative aligns directly with our region’s long‑term nuclear legacy. With major programmes such as Hinkley Point C, the emerging SMR and AMR landscape, defence activity, and a growing ecosystem of specialist suppliers, the region continues to play a central role in the UK’s nuclear future.
Ensuring that people from all backgrounds can access training and build careers in nuclear is essential to sustaining that momentum. The bursary strengthens the talent pipeline, supports social mobility, and helps ensure the benefits of the sector’s growth are felt across communities.
How to Apply
Anyone interested in building a future in nuclear is encouraged to find out more and apply via NSAN: 👉 https://www.nsan.co.uk/the-nuclear-bursary
As the sector continues to expand, this bursary represents a meaningful opportunity for individuals to gain the skills, confidence and support needed to join a thriving industry — and to contribute to the South West’s long‑term nuclear legacy.