Health Physics Monitor Review

So I would say my role is to make sure that people are safe essentially. I do this by carrying out radiation protection related surveys and checking for contamination in areas on the nuclear plant I work in and also to make sure people are following the established safe systems of work.

Yes I have definitely learnt new skills. I have learned about nuclear physics, including relearning stuff I had learned in school about what makes up an atom and the forces that govern how it behaves. I have also relearned how to do difficult maths problems and obviously the basics of carrying out the job itself.

I very much enjoy my program. I have been doing things that I haven't done since school and I haven't felt this challenged but also fulfilled in years. I feel that I have finally found myself in the career that will last me for the rest of my life.

It is fairly well organised but I do feel that there is some room for improvement in the planning and organising stages of the apprenticeship. It could just be because there was a much larger intake of apprentices this year but it has felt a bit unclear at times when needing information.

As an employer they are probably the best I have dealt with in my working career and being an older apprentice I think that that is a ringing endorsement. I've never seen any employer be so flexible in attitude to what the employees needs are and making sure they're as fulfilled as possible.

I would say I receive a decent level of support. We have weekly training sessions towards our nvq and regular contact with out assessor who, although new to the job, is working just as hard as us to see that we are successful. He recommended a very useful learning resource to me.

I think that it gives me a much better understanding of the types of nuclear materials I am working with and why it is so important to be professional and safe around them. It also allows me to give advice to others who may not have the same level of understanding as me.

I believe there are football teams, although as I'm not a very sporty person this has no interest to me. As for other activities, myself and the rest of this year's health physics monitors that began together all keep in touch and go out ok nights out together.

Yes

It is as I said earlier the best employer I've ever worked for and is also by far the best opportunity money wise around my area. And I have in fact already recommended it to both of my brother's, one of whom has already began the application process for the same job.

If you're unsure about working for Sellafield, as I was for a number of years, just do it. I've never been so happy to be proven wrong. I only wish I'd done it years ago as I can only imagine where I might be now had I applied earlier.