- The industry has grown by 67% over the past five years, from 61,371 jobs in 2021 to a record 102,606 in 2026, driven by decisive government investment in Sizewell C, and Europe’s first Small Modular Reactor (SMR) Project, Gwyndod, in North Wales

- 86% of jobs are outside of London and the South-East, with major centres in the North-West and South-West of England

- Regulatory reform will be crucial to unlocking further growth

For the first time in the UK civil nuclear industry’s history, more than 100,000 people are employed across the sector, according to the Nuclear Industry Association’s annual Jobs Map. The industry has grown by 67% over the past five years, from 61,371 jobs in 2021 to 102,606 in 2026, with a 4,433 increase since 2025.  

This surge in high-skilled, high-paid jobs has been driven primarily by construction at Hinkley Point C and decisive government investment in upcoming nuclear projects. The Government has a 45% equity stake in Sizewell C, which has seen a 62.6% increase in jobs over the past year, and 1,500 apprentices will be created during construction. Project Gwyndod, Great British Energy-Nuclear’s development of Rolls-Royce SMRs’ Europe’s first, on Ynys Môn is set to create a further 8,000 jobs across the UK, including 3,000 locally. 

The nuclear industry retains a strong presence across the country. The operating stations support around 5,000 jobs and provide critical baseload power for the UK’s grid. 

The UK hosts a world-leading hub for nuclear fusion in Oxfordshire, where nearly 3,000 people are employed by the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA). The government has backed a fusion demonstrator at the old West Burton coal-fired station in Nottinghamshire and committed £2.5 billion to UK Fusion Energy and UKAEA over the next five years. 

The UK’s world-class nuclear fuel workforce is also growing as it helps drive Russia out of Western nuclear markets, including Urenco, the largest Western enricher, which supplies all of Ukraine’s enriched uranium. 

Decommissioning supports thousands of jobs across England, Scotland, and Wales, which bring critical skills and investment to local communities. 

Tom Greatrex, Chief Executive, Nuclear Industry Association, said: 

“The nuclear sector continues to be a critical engine of growth and investment outside of London and the South East. Nuclear’s unique footprint creates tens of thousands of highly skilled jobs in every part of this country, especially in coastal communities that need them most. 

“It is now critical that the UK Government implements reforms of nuclear regulation in full to unlock further growth and job creation while cutting the cost and schedule of new nuclear projects. Achieving this is essential for our energy security.” 

Energy Minister Martin McCluskey said: 

“Our golden age of nuclear is officially here– we have hit a record number of nuclear jobs in the UK as we back  large-scale projects like Sizewell C, cut the red tape and develop cutting edge small modular reactors. 

“Together with industry, we are creating good, future proof jobs in our industrial heartlands and beyond,  so more people across Britain can secure well-paid careers in the places they call home.” 

Case Study: Unprecedented employment driven by Hinkley Point C, Sizewell C and Gwyndod Projects  

Construction at Hinkley Point C, alongside decisive investment in Sizewell C and Gwyndod, is creating significant new opportunities for highly paid, skilled career opportunities for both young people and mid-career switchers. 

Hinkley Point C: Kester Ansah-Akrofi, Apprentice Site Engineer at Hinkley Point C, said: 

“I believe strongly in what we’re doing here, and I’d like to see more plants built. The nuclear industry transforms local communities and is slowly reshaping the world for the better. So many people are able to jump-start their careers through nuclear, especially the apprentices, who get to reinforce their theoretical studies with practical application. 

Gwyndod: Ellie Wilson, Project Controls Apprentice, Great British Energy – Nuclear, said:  

“A career in nuclear has already given me opportunities I never imagined possible! Being part of a project as important as Gwyndod, which has the potential to deliver lasting benefits for communities and the UK’s clean energy future, is incredibly rewarding. It’s a unique chance to contribute to something with real national significance while developing my own skills and career.” 

Sizewell C: Dr Rebecca Quigg, Associate Transport Co-ordinator, WSP, on secondment to Sizewell C, said: 

“Nuclear doesn’t just mean nuclear engineers. It means opportunities for a vast number of people with different skill sets and approaches. New nuclear investment creates jobs for almost every sector I can think of, at every qualification level. That’s truly extraordinary to me.” 

ENDS  

Notes to editors:  

About the NIA
As the trade association for the civil nuclear industry in the UK, the Nuclear Industry
Association represents over 340 companies across the UK’s nuclear supply chain.  

Links
Visit our website: https://www.niauk.org/  
Follow the NIA on X @NIAUK and LinkedIn  

For further information, please contact:  

Maya Seth
Digital Communications Executive
[email protected]g  
+447938810736 

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