Lily's career in nuclear at Heysham 1
After studying her A levels, Lily joined EDF as an Engineering Maintenance Apprentice at Heysham 1 Power Station. Now working as a Maintenance Technician, Lily shares how Heysham provides career opportunities like no other.
Why did you choose to join Heysham 1?
EDF is a local employer that provides a good, established, and recognised apprenticeship programme. I live close to Heysham Power Station, and it has excellent transport links to the M6, an hour to Manchester and less than an hour to the Lake District.
What inspired your career in energy?
My Physics teacher previously worked for National Grid, and she talked highly of her career within the energy sector. During my school years, I had visits to Heysham 1, which inspired me to apply for the apprenticeship.
What are the most valuable skills and experience you’ve developed?
Fault finding is a very valuable skill that gives great job satisfaction when the problem is resolved. Working with different people in various departments, such as Engineering, Work Management, and Operations, enhances communication and people skills.
In March 2023 it was announced that Heysham 1 would continue to generate electricity until 2026, two years longer than previously planned. Tell us about the impact that the lifetime extension will have on your role and the opportunities it offers?
A lifetime extension allows for me to further develop my skills and confidence as a new Maintenance Technician. It will give me a chance to see jobs I haven’t seen before, widening my plant knowledge.
Where would you like to take your career with EDF in the future?
There are many progression routes available at EDF, whether it be in maintenance or other departments. I hope to become involved in upcoming projects, taking on new responsibilities, broadening my skill set.
Are you ready to take the next step towards a rewarding career? Whether you're an experienced professional seeking a new challenge or looking for a fulfilling training programme, explore our current opportunities.
Receive articles like this
Related Roles
Salary
Location
Leiston
Brand
EDF UK
Job Type
Site-based
Department
Nuclear Operations
Location
Leiston
Description
Ready to support the leadership of high-value contracts that help keep low-carbon electricity flowing across the UK? Looking for a role where you can influence supplier performance, drive commercial e
Reference
ded71b57-0f5a-4ec6-b911-fd495a56cbe0
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Salary
Location
Morecambe
Brand
EDF UK
Job Type
Site-based
Department
Nuclear Operations
Location
Morecambe
Description
18-month secondment / fixed termThe OpportunityThe post of Visitor Centre Coordinator exists at a number of EDF’s nuclear power stations to support Nuclear Operation’s commitment to supporting our loc
Reference
1389503d-ca81-4fb5-a7ba-be388c719738
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Salary
Location
Morecambe
Brand
EDF UK
Job Type
Site-based
Department
Placements
Location
Morecambe
Description
At EDF, success is personal. We don’t define it – you do. Join our Business Improvement and Data Analysis Industrial Placement and you’ll shape your future, your way – while helping Britain achieve ne
Reference
281649d3-120b-4c71-83b2-a17bf599672b
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Salary
Location
Gloucester
Brand
EDF UK
Job Type
Site-based
Department
Nuclear Operations
Location
Gloucester
Description
An exciting opportunity has arisen here at Gloucester Business Park for a Supply Chain Specialist within our Supply Chain Commercial departmentThe OpportunityYou will establish and deliver supply mark
Reference
69e54247-acf2-4819-a003-8e5939299297
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Salary
Location
Morecambe
Brand
EDF UK
Job Type
Site-based
Department
Placements
Location
Morecambe
Description
At EDF, Success is Personal. That means your journey is unique to you. Join our Nuclear Technical Engineering Services Industrial Placement and you’ll gain hands-on experience, develop key skills, and
Reference
6c46fb6b-6d81-465d-80a9-a7b84cbe5cda
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Salary
Location
Gloucester
Brand
EDF UK
Job Type
Site-based
Department
Placements
Location
Gloucester
Description
At EDF, Success is Personal. We don’t define it, you do. Join our Chemistry Industrial Placement and you’ll shape your future while helping Britain achieve net zero. You’ll team up with experienced sc
Reference
a9b9b721-0b27-47bf-90c8-47d1b7c9b732
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Salary
Location
Gloucester
Brand
EDF UK
Job Type
Site-based
Department
Placements
Location
Gloucester
Description
At EDF, Success is Personal. We don’t define it, you do. Join our Nuclear Safety Industrial Placement and you’ll shape your future while helping Britain achieve net zero. You’ll team up with experienc
Reference
36e64937-296c-46dd-b291-ad7eb0a82ff2
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Salary
Location
Morecambe
Brand
EDF UK
Job Type
Site-based
Department
Placements
Location
Morecambe
Description
At EDF, Success is Personal. That means your journey is unique to you. Join our Emergency Preparedness Industrial Placement and you’ll gain hands-on experience, develop key skills, and help Britain ac
Reference
25edb092-0366-4884-bd02-19369516f2b2
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Salary
Location
Morecambe
Brand
EDF UK
Job Type
Site-based
Department
Nuclear Operations
Location
Morecambe
Description
The OpportunityThe successful candidate will provide industrial safety expertise and leadership support to the site to ensure that appropriate industrial safety arrangements are in place, and the stat
Reference
b2a82aa3-3829-4e91-a607-01250c81c3d7
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Salary
Location
Leiston
Brand
EDF UK
Job Type
Site-based
Department
Placements
Location
Leiston
Description
At EDF, success is personal. We don’t define it – you do. Join our Outage Industrial Placement and you’ll shape your future, your way – while helping Britain achieve net zero. This is your chance to l
Reference
0b458275-ca98-4b6e-b4fd-61c269f4efa3
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Related articles
Teaser
Life at EDFContent Type
ArticlesPublish date
14/10/26
Summary
At EDF, military experience is more than valued, it's recognised as a powerful asset. Our Forces Supporters Network helps veterans, reservists and Armed Forces supporters connect with
Teaser
Life at EDFContent Type
Employee StoriesPublish date
06/10/26
Summary
Thinking about taking a year-long industrial placement? We spoke to Becky and Polly, two of our Early Careers Programme Leads, who share what makes an Industrial Placement at EDF uniqu
Teaser
Life at EDFContent Type
Employee StoriesPublish date
06/10/26
Summary
Daisy joined EDF in September 2025 on an Industrial Placement with our Customers Business Marketing team. Here, she shares why she applied and what she’s got from her EDF experience.
Teaser
Life at EDFContent Type
Employee StoriesPublish date
06/10/26
Summary
Mariame joined EDF’s 2025 Industrial Placement programme as a Commercial Data Analyst based at our Hove site. Mariame shares how she has benefited from the opportunity. When I w
Teaser
Industrial PlacementsContent Type
Employee StoriesPublish date
06/10/26
Summary
Based in our Doxford office, Zorah joined EDF on a year-long Retail Industrial Placement. Here, she reflects on the opportunities, connections and experiences that have helped shape he
Teaser
ApprenticeshipsContent Type
Employee StoriesPublish date
16/09/26
Summary
When Dominic joined EDF in August 2022 as a Maintenance Operations Engineering Technician Apprentice, he was looking for the skills, experience and confidence to build a successful car
Teaser
Early CareersContent Type
Employee StoriesPublish date
11/09/26
Summary
Thinking about a career in data or technology at EDF? We asked our graduates to answer some of the questions candidates ask most, from what the application process is like and the proj
Teaser
ApprenticeshipsContent Type
Employee StoriesPublish date
24/07/26
Summary
Read time: 10 minutes What helps an apprentice succeed at a power station? It's not just the training they receive, but the support they have along the way. Meet Lottie, an
Teaser
Life at EDFContent Type
Employee StoriesPublish date
17/07/26
Summary
By Melody, People Policy Advisor in Employee Relations at EDF. What’s your connection to the forces? I was what’s known (affectionately) as an Army Brat. I’m not sure at what age you g
Teaser
Life at EDFContent Type
Employee StoriesPublish date
10/07/26
Summary
From colleague experience to customer impact – two years in the Top 10 best places to work for our Customers business After securing a place on The Sunday Times Best Places to Work to
Recently viewed jobs
Salary
Location
Leiston
Brand
EDF UK
Job Type
Site-based
Department
Nuclear Operations
Location
Leiston
Description
Ready to support the leadership of high-value contracts that help keep low-carbon electricity flowing across the UK? Looking for a role where you can influence supplier performance, drive commercial e
Reference
ded71b57-0f5a-4ec6-b911-fd495a56cbe0
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Salary
Location
Morecambe
Brand
EDF UK
Job Type
Site-based
Department
Nuclear Operations
Location
Morecambe
Description
18-month secondment / fixed termThe OpportunityThe post of Visitor Centre Coordinator exists at a number of EDF’s nuclear power stations to support Nuclear Operation’s commitment to supporting our loc
Reference
1389503d-ca81-4fb5-a7ba-be388c719738
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Salary
Location
Morecambe
Brand
EDF UK
Job Type
Site-based
Department
Placements
Location
Morecambe
Description
At EDF, success is personal. We don’t define it – you do. Join our Business Improvement and Data Analysis Industrial Placement and you’ll shape your future, your way – while helping Britain achieve ne
Reference
281649d3-120b-4c71-83b2-a17bf599672b
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Salary
Location
Gloucester
Brand
EDF UK
Job Type
Site-based
Department
Nuclear Operations
Location
Gloucester
Description
An exciting opportunity has arisen here at Gloucester Business Park for a Supply Chain Specialist within our Supply Chain Commercial departmentThe OpportunityYou will establish and deliver supply mark
Reference
69e54247-acf2-4819-a003-8e5939299297
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Salary
Location
Morecambe
Brand
EDF UK
Job Type
Site-based
Department
Placements
Location
Morecambe
Description
At EDF, Success is Personal. That means your journey is unique to you. Join our Nuclear Technical Engineering Services Industrial Placement and you’ll gain hands-on experience, develop key skills, and
Reference
6c46fb6b-6d81-465d-80a9-a7b84cbe5cda
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Salary
Location
Gloucester
Brand
EDF UK
Job Type
Site-based
Department
Placements
Location
Gloucester
Description
At EDF, Success is Personal. We don’t define it, you do. Join our Chemistry Industrial Placement and you’ll shape your future while helping Britain achieve net zero. You’ll team up with experienced sc
Reference
a9b9b721-0b27-47bf-90c8-47d1b7c9b732
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Salary
Location
Gloucester
Brand
EDF UK
Job Type
Site-based
Department
Placements
Location
Gloucester
Description
At EDF, Success is Personal. We don’t define it, you do. Join our Nuclear Safety Industrial Placement and you’ll shape your future while helping Britain achieve net zero. You’ll team up with experienc
Reference
36e64937-296c-46dd-b291-ad7eb0a82ff2
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Salary
Location
Morecambe
Brand
EDF UK
Job Type
Site-based
Department
Placements
Location
Morecambe
Description
At EDF, Success is Personal. That means your journey is unique to you. Join our Emergency Preparedness Industrial Placement and you’ll gain hands-on experience, develop key skills, and help Britain ac
Reference
25edb092-0366-4884-bd02-19369516f2b2
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Salary
Location
Morecambe
Brand
EDF UK
Job Type
Site-based
Department
Nuclear Operations
Location
Morecambe
Description
The OpportunityThe successful candidate will provide industrial safety expertise and leadership support to the site to ensure that appropriate industrial safety arrangements are in place, and the stat
Reference
b2a82aa3-3829-4e91-a607-01250c81c3d7
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Salary
Location
Leiston
Brand
EDF UK
Job Type
Site-based
Department
Placements
Location
Leiston
Description
At EDF, success is personal. We don’t define it – you do. Join our Outage Industrial Placement and you’ll shape your future, your way – while helping Britain achieve net zero. This is your chance to l
Reference
0b458275-ca98-4b6e-b4fd-61c269f4efa3
Expiry Date
01/01/01