From the aviation sector to Reactor Operator: Katie's story

Katie joined EDF in 2022 and is now part of the Hinkley Point C Operations team. As a Nuclear Control Room Operator (known internally as a Reactor Operator), she is helping prepare the station for future operations by developing operating practices and guidance, building operational readiness and maintaining her knowledge through training, ready for the day Hinkley Point C begins generating low-carbon electricity.

"At the moment, we're developing the processes and procedures we'll use when the station goes live, while maintaining our knowledge through ongoing training," she explains. "Once operational, I'll be part of the Main Control Room team, operating and monitoring the power station and making sure it's running safely."

One of the things Katie enjoys most about the role is the variety it offers. "One week I'm carrying out simulator training and the next I'm writing procedures or developing a new process."

For Katie, the role offered the perfect blend of engineering and problem-solving. Having come from a demanding role, she was also attracted by the work-life balance that shift work could provide.

Looking back, there is one misconception she wishes she had challenged sooner. "You don't need to have a traditional nuclear background to succeed," she says. "I'd worked in defence and aviation, but my most recent experience was in engineering project management. I was worried EDF wouldn't be interested in me because I didn't have the heavy technical or nuclear background I imagined they were looking for. In reality, I've been surprised by just how much of my previous experience has been useful."

That message is reflected throughout Katie's story. Before joining EDF, she worked as an Engineering Project Manager in the aviation industry and previously held roles in defence. While she had no nuclear-specific knowledge when she arrived, many of her existing skills proved highly transferable.

"Problem solving, working in regulated industries, making difficult decisions and stakeholder management have been the big ones," she explains. "Coming from outside nuclear can also be an advantage. Sometimes I bring a different perspective or ask a question that somebody who has spent their whole career in the industry might not."

The opportunity to be involved in one of the UK's most significant infrastructure projects was another major attraction. "It's the first new nuclear power station to be built in the UK in a generation. The opportunity to be part of something on that scale, and eventually operate it, really appealed to me."

Today, that sense of purpose remains a key part of what motivates her. "I'm proud that one day I'll be operating the station," she says. "It's a bit daunting, but I like the idea of seeing all the training and preparation we're doing now come together when we finally operate the station."

Katie believes some of the most exciting parts of the project still lie ahead. "We're just getting to the exciting stage where we start to turn things on for the first time. The knowledge and experience I'll gain will be impossible to get anywhere else."

She also values the opportunities EDF provides to broaden her experience beyond her immediate role. "The flexibility and challenge of the work really stand out. You can get involved beyond your day-to-day role and learn from other parts of the project. I completed a secondment in commissioning, which allowed me to experience another side of the project while bringing that knowledge back into operations. That was incredibly valuable."

Training has been a major part of Katie's development as a Reactor Operator. "The training programme is excellent," she says. "It's hard work, but you learn so much."

Of all the different elements of the programme, simulator training has been the highlight. "It's the closest thing to doing the real job. The simulator is an exact replica of the Main Control Room. Sometimes you even forget you're in training. I remember completing my first simulator assessment and thinking, 'Actually, I can do this.'"

Looking ahead, she is eager to apply everything she has learned in a live operational environment. "Right now, I'm looking forward to putting all the training into practice in the real Main Control Room. We've spent a long time learning how to operate Hinkley Point C, so I want to be there when we finally get to do it for real."

Outside her day-to-day role, Katie is an active member of several employee networks across EDF. "There is a network for pretty much everything," she says. "What I like is that they provide a space for like-minded people to get together and share experiences and advice."

One of her favourites is the Neurodiversity Network's informal "Time to Talk" sessions. "They have no set agenda and give you the chance to speak with people from across different EDF businesses."

Katie also values the diversity of perspectives within her team. "It's a really good mix of people, and I think that's one of our strengths. Everyone brings something different, whether that's their experience, personality or the way they approach a problem. We don't all like the same things, but there's always something you can find in common."

When it comes to benefits, Katie highlights both EDF's pension offering and the flexibility that comes with the role. "EDF has a great pension, which hopefully means I might actually get to retire one day!" she jokes.

More seriously, she values having the time to enjoy life outside work. "Life goes by far too quickly to spend all of it at work. Outside work I enjoy being involved in my local community and church, as well as looking after my goats and chickens, so it's important to me to have a career that leaves room for the rest of my life too."

For Katie, success is not necessarily about chasing the next promotion. "Success is having a job that challenges me while giving me time to do the things I enjoy. I don't think success is necessarily about the next job title, and Operations gives me the opportunity to keep developing without having to move roles. There's always something new to learn."

She has one final message for anyone reading about the role and wondering whether they have the right background. "If you're looking at the advert thinking, 'I can't apply for that because of X, Y or Z,' I'd say go for it. I thought exactly the same thing and wasn't sure EDF would even be interested in me. But now I'm a trained Reactor Operator."