If you’d like to be considered for this opportunity we encourage you to apply promptly to avoid disappointment as if applications are high the role will close before the closing date given.
Graduate Trainee - Liabilities: Decommissioning, Demolition and Waste Management
Programme
Evolve Graduate Programme
Salary
£31,000 starting salary plus benefits
Location
AWE sites Aldermaston and Burghfield, Berkshire - onsite
Duration
Two years
Start date
September 2027
Working pattern
9-day working fortnight
About AWE
We are a team of remarkable people, united by one extraordinary mission: keeping the UK safe and secure. Our work supports the UK's independent nuclear deterrent and wider national-security capabilities through science, engineering, technology and specialist expertise.
Programme purpose
Join the Liabilities team, which sets direction and manages nuclear, radiological, chemical and explosive waste alongside the safe decommissioning and demolition of associated facilities. Through structured placements, you will gain experience across the full liabilities lifecycle and see how strategy, projects, operations, engineering, safety and waste specialists work together.
The programme is flexible so placements can reflect individual interests and business needs, while maintaining a strong Liabilities focus. At least 75% of the programme is expected to be spent in Liabilities-related placements. You will contribute to live programmes and build the skills required for a long-term career in a highly regulated environment.
Key activities and responsibilities
Support decommissioning, demolition and waste programmes from strategy through to delivery.
Contribute to liabilities strategy, integration and planning.
Apply risk-based thinking and support safe systems of work, permits and compliance activity.
Collaborate with capability sponsors, projects, engineering, safety, operations, facilities, waste, commercial and procurement teams.
Support reporting, coordination, data-informed decisions and continuous improvement.
Build organisational awareness through varied placements and potential leadership shadowing.
Learning and development
The full lifecycle of liabilities management, decommissioning, demolition and waste.
How strategy, projects, engineering, operations, facilities and safety disciplines work together.
Project-delivery principles through the APM Project Fundamentals Qualification.
Core health and safety through IOSH Working Safely or Managing Safely.
Lean and continuous-improvement techniques, including Lean Sigma Six Yellow Belt capability.
Nuclear professionalism, regulatory awareness, risk management and safe systems of work.
Stakeholder engagement, planning, problem-solving, reporting and digital tools such as Excel or Power BI.
Potential placement experience
Liabilities Integration Office, strategy and facility-management teams.
Liabilities Operations, Estates Programmes and Delivery Waste teams.
Work Control, delivery projects, engineering and Safety Case teams.
Waste Operations and a possible non-Liabilities placement to broaden experience.
Training, qualifications and outturn capability
APM Project Fundamentals Qualification.
IOSH Working Safely or Managing Safely.
Lean or Continuous Improvement Yellow Belt.
Nuclear professionalism and regulatory-awareness training.
Risk-management and safe-systems-of-work training.
Practical experience of stakeholder engagement, planning, reporting and digital analysis.
Behaviours and qualities
Proactive: You take ownership and want to make a practical difference.
Collaborative: You enjoy working across disciplines and learning from specialists.
Organised: You can manage priorities, plan work and deliver to deadlines.
Analytical: You use evidence and structured thinking to address complex issues.
Adaptable: You respond positively as placements, priorities and challenges change.
Safety focused: You understand the importance of quality, compliance and careful decision-making.
Entry…