Jobs in short supply 2022: the need for labour in the nuclear sector

The nuclear industry, France’s third largest industrial sector, brings together no less than 3,000 companies and 220,000 employees. According to the SFEN (French Nuclear Energy Society), 8,000 jobs per year would be needed to cover all the real needs of the sector. However, at the moment, Only 30% of the needs are covered in certain professions in short supply in the nuclear sector.

We take stock of the workforce needs (BMO) and the professions and sectors in tension in the nuclear industry.

 

What are the recruitment needs in the nuclear sector in 2022?

On February 10, 2022, Emmanuel Macron announced his plan to revive nuclear power in France as well as the main objectives of the new French energy policy. He also announced the construction of a new French nuclear fleet with 6 EPR reactors. This project, which is scheduled to be commissioned in 2035, will require the recruitment of 30,000 new professionals by 2028, according to GIFEN (French Nuclear Energy Industrialists) – 20,000 workers on construction sites and 10,000 recruitments for the maintenance and operation of the nuclear site.

In addition, many companies and groups are currently looking for skilled workers to meet the growing needs in the sector, such as:

• EDF : the electricity company plans to recruit 15,500 new employees in 2022 throughout France, from Bac pro to bac +5, in a wide range of sectors and professions (nuclear engineering, boilermaking, valves, welding, machining, maintenance technicians, etc.), on permanent contracts, fixed-term contracts and professionalization contracts.
• Orano (formerly Areva) recruits nearly 800 new employees each year.
• At the beginning of April 2022, the SPIE France Group announced its intention to recruit 3,600 professionals.

 

What are the jobs in short supply in the nuclear industry?

Nuclear power brings together a wide range of sectors and professions: engineers, industrial electricians, automation engineers, civil engineering experts, valve makers, etc.

In the list of professions in short supply in 2022 in the nuclear sector, we can mention:

• industrial electricians,
• Boilermakers,
• welders,
• Pipefitters
• mechanics on rotating machines.

 

How can we cover the labour needs in the nuclear sector?

To meet the growing need for labour on industrial sites and nuclear power plants, several measures have been taken, including the creation, in 2021, of the University of Nuclear Professions to promote the sector and boost recruitment in this industry.

This project is led by several industry players (UIMM – Union of Metallurgical Industries and Trades); UFE (French Electricity Union); CSFN (Strategic Committee of the Nuclear Industry); EDF; Orano; GIFEN; Pôle emploi…) is part of EDF’s Excell plan, which is dedicated to strengthening quality, excellence and the level of rigour in the sector.

The creation of the Nuclear University is accompanied by other actions, such as the establishment of scholarships for students in initial training (BTS, Bac Pro, CAP) with the aim of strengthening the attractiveness of professions considered to be in short supply in the field.