Careers in the nuclear industry offer a wide range of challenging and rewarding jobs with excellent salaries and benefits. This variety of job opportunities also provides a path of lifelong learning and the knowledge that you are actively working to provide your community with the power and energy it needs to live up to its full potential. Understanding what it takes to succeed in the Nuclear Energy sector is critical to identifying and hiring the right candidates for the business. Here are 5 qualities you should seek out in your talent to make sure your team has what it takes to succeed in the long term.
The Appropriate Training and Education
Generally, quality Engineers require advanced education and training levels. Employers will likely require at least a Bachelor’s degree in engineering and often prefer a Master’s degree or equivalent experience. Professional certifications may also be required. Make sure that the candidates you are evaluating are all supported by the training and education they need to succeed in the role.
Attention to Detail
Quality candidates in the nuclear power industry must have attention to detail to ensure that technology is being operated in the appropriate manner, that risks are identified and dealt with as needed, or that products are being manufactured, installed, or are operating to the required specifications. Having a keen eye for those otherwise missable details can make a big difference in the power generation field, where the consequences of overlooking something can be severe.
Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills
Engineers and technicians are often tasked with reviewing established processes or procedures as part of their day-to-day workload. Identifying and communicating concerns related to those procedures is important, but it’s often not enough. The ability to think critically and problem solve as needed is the difference between success and failure in many cases. Your team needs to be built of people who have strong critical thinking skills and the will and ability to tackle those problems head-on.
Communication and Interpersonal Skills
Nuclear power candidates should be able to communicate clearly. They are often required to document many aspects of their job, including inspections, root cause analyses, and process improvements in a clear and understandable manner. The ability to share valuable information with other teammates and with leadership makes a big difference in the energy industry. Similarly, your team’s interpersonal skills can be a major factor in your success. The ability to work effectively across organizations and collaborate with many different types of people at varying levels of seniority is essential to the business.
Math Skills
Nuclear engineers and technicians regularly use the principles of statistics, calculus, trigonometry, and other advanced topics in mathematics for analysis, design, and troubleshooting in their work. Making sure that the candidates you evaluate have strong math skills and the ability to continue building out those skills as technologies evolve over time is critical.
For more advice on what to look for in the best candidates in the nuclear energy field, connect with the team at ESGI today.
