Meet the team: Dave McAlpine

Dave McAlpine joined our Torness Nuclear Power Station as a Safety Instructor after a 37-year career in the Merchant Navy. He was attracted by the work/life balance and job security of working at EDF. Read his blog to find out his experience of switching careers later in life, and the support he’s received since joining the nuclear family.

Read time: 2 mins

What motivated you to join EDF’s nuclear family? 

The two things that matter most to me in my life right now are: work-life balance and employment security. I was in the Merchant Navy Service for 37 years, and employment in the oil and gas industry was determined by market fluctuations. So, when things were good, it was really good and there was endless work. But when things were bad, there were no jobs and no continuity of employment. 

I also missed out on time with my family while working in oil and gas, as I was away from home for extended periods. The job could be very stressful too – sometimes I was on call 24/7 – with very little downtime. 

When I joined EDF, I heard somebody use the expression ‘work/life balance’, and I had to ask what they meant; I’d never heard it before. I still go home from work and can’t believe nobody’s going to call me back in for the night! 

Another of the things that really struck me about EDF is that when they say you’re family, they mean it. They’re a really supportive employer. Even things like discussing mental health – I’d never heard employers talk about that in the workplace before. 

The opportunities here are also second to none. I’ve been on so many courses since I joined – and I’ve been able to do them in work time. When I was at sea, I had to do any training in my family time. 

What attracted you to work in the nuclear sector? 

The nuclear industry was completely new to me. I always had an interest in science and technology though, and I’m a big believer that nuclear power gives us energy security. If we want to meet energy demand for new homes and keep the lights on, we need nuclear power. From working in the industry, I’ve seen how safe and reliable it is as an energy source. 

What do you enjoy most about your day-to-day work? 

It’s definitely learning new skills and using my past experience. I’m a Safety Training Instructor at Torness Power Station. In my last job I was a Senior Bridge Officer and I’m able to bring my real-world experience and operational knowledge of how to carry out work safely into a new sector. 

I also love that no two days are the same; I like the variety of being able to explore other areas in the power station. It’s in my nature to explore and want to learn more about other things.

Does working for a company that’s helping Britain to achieve Net Zero motivate you? 

Yes – I have previously worked in offshore renewables and I see nuclear as an essential part of our progression towards net zero, while providing energy security for the UK. 

Do you view yourself as part of EDF’s nuclear family? 

I consider myself to be part of the nuclear family, as I have the opportunity to access all areas of the station, and I help to maintain safety standards through training and behavioural coaching. 

I’ve got an opposite number in any of our Advanced Gas Reactor (AGR) nuclear power stations and we share information and experiences all the time. Certainly, there’s an open network where we can find help, support and advice from other people in the business. And you can collaborate on things to a lesser or greater degree . 

Do you think working for EDF and its nuclear family gives you more job opportunities, variety of work or longevity of career? 

Yes – the ability to undertake training and acquire new skills is unparalleled at EDF; I’ve been on more than 100 training modules. Also, employment appears to be stable in nuclear compared to other sectors. 

What are your top tips for someone applying for roles at EDF in your skills area? 

Make sure your CV highlights your skills and qualities and spend time on it to get it right. Depending on what role you’re applying for, there might be some security screening and background checks for safety reasons. But be patient and the recruitment team will also keep you updated throughout the process. 

Sound like a place where you'd like to develop your career? We're looking for engineers, project managers, technical leads and more. Find out what career opportunities are available in EDF's nuclear family.