More than work experience: inspiring the next generation at EDF

Opening the door to the energy industry

The Work Experience Programme has been designed to help students understand who we are at EDF, how the nuclear industry supports Britain's energy needs, and the wide range of careers available across the sector.

Over two weeks, participants explored how electricity is generated, learned about EDF's role in powering An Electric Britain, and discovered the different pathways available through apprenticeships, degree apprenticeships, industrial placements and graduate opportunities.

The programme brought together students from 26 schools across the UK, offering a unique opportunity to learn directly from EDF employees, current apprentices and industrial placement students.

Learning through real-world experience

Students were encouraged to get involved from day one.

The programme combined technical workshops, employability sessions, networking opportunities and hands-on project work. Participants attended sessions covering topics such as:

• How nuclear power stations generate electricity
• Sustainability and Net Zero
• Nuclear safety and security
• Engineering and structural integrity
• Business and commercial careers
• EDF's work on major projects, including Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C
• Diversity, equity and inclusion

Students also benefited from practical employability workshops led by EDF's HR teams, including CV reviews, interview advice and presentation skills coaching. Many received personalised feedback on their CVs, helping them prepare for future applications.

One of the most valuable aspects of the programme was the opportunity to spend time with EDF's early careers community. Apprentices and industrial placement students supported participants throughout the fortnight, sharing honest insights into life at EDF and answering questions about their own career journeys.

“Talking to graduates, apprentices, and EDF employees was really interesting and insightful. The staff were lovely and it was so cool.”  

A challenge worth pitching

Students put their new knowledge into practice through a week-long team challenge, where they were tasked with selecting and presenting a reactor design for a hypothetical new power station in Suffolk.

Working in groups, participants researched different reactor designs before making recommendations based on factors such as technology, sustainability and cost. They then presented their proposals to a panel of EDF "Dragons", defending their decisions during a live question-and-answer session.

For many students, this was their first experience of presenting to senior professionals.

The challenge encouraged teamwork, communication, problem-solving and decision-making, while helping students build confidence and develop skills that will benefit them throughout their education and future careers.

“I loved the ‘dragons den’ pitch - we won!! It was so fun talking and working together as a team.”  

Perhaps most importantly, it demonstrated just how much participants grew during their time on the programme, transforming from strangers meeting on day one into confident teams presenting complex proposals only days later.

Experiences you won't find in the classroom

The programme offered access to opportunities many students would not normally experience.

Unlike many work experience placements that focus solely on shadowing, this programme combined practical learning, project work and direct engagement with specialists from across the business. This gave students a much broader understanding of the variety of careers available, from engineering and operations to commercial and business functions.

A highlight of the programme was a tour of the new nuclear power station being built at Hinkley Point C. Students took a bus tour around the site and spent time learning about the project at our Visitors Centre.

Building skills for the future

Throughout the programme, students developed a range of technical knowledge and workplace skills.

Participants gained a deeper understanding of nuclear energy, sustainability and EDF's major projects, while also strengthening skills such as:

• Teamwork
• Professional communication
• Presentation and public speaking
• Problem-solving
• Collaboration
• Decision-making

Many students highlighted the opportunity to shadow EDF employees as a particular highlight, while others praised the group project and Dragon's Den challenge for helping them step outside their comfort zones.

Inspiring Future Careers

The programme is already helping students see new possibilities for their future.

Participants left with a greater awareness of careers within the nuclear and energy industries, and others discovered career paths they hadn't previously known existed. Students also reported that the experience had encouraged them to consider apprenticeship and degree apprenticeship pathways.

For us at EDF, programmes like this play an important role in building future talent pipelines, raising awareness of careers in energy and helping young people make informed decisions about their next steps.

The success of the programme was also made possible by the many EDF employees who volunteered their time to deliver sessions, host shadowing experiences and share their expertise with the next generation.

Thinking about applying?

If you're interested in science, technology, engineering, sustainability, business or simply curious about how energy powers modern life, this Work Experience Programme offers an opportunity to explore careers that go far beyond the classroom.

And if you're worried that you don't know enough about nuclear energy, don't be.

The programme is designed for learning. Curiosity, enthusiasm and a willingness to get involved are far more important than existing knowledge. Throughout the experience, participants are supported by EDF's dedicated STEM Outreach team, apprentices and industrial placement students.

More than traditional work experience

This Work Experience Programme is about much more than spending time in an office.

It's an opportunity to learn, connect with professionals, develop valuable skills and gain experiences that can help shape future career choices.

Whether participants leave inspired by engineering, sustainability, business, project management or something entirely different, they gain a clearer understanding of the opportunities available and the confidence to pursue them.