UKAEA – Springfields Works
Nuclear Site
As we were at a nuclear plant, we were not permitted onsite until we turned 18. This meant that we had to spend the first two years of our training at a dedicated training centre. Workshop projects, theory lectures, and physical education (twice a week) made up our working week, and we received a handsome £2 17s 6d for our efforts.
We also had to wear ‘green overalls’. Why? You’ve probably guessed because we were ‘green’, and by wearing them, everyone on site knew we were learners! I’m on the front row, circled.
Looking back, it was an excellent time, making lots of friends, travelling to Blackpool with the lads who came from there, lots of physical education in the first two years, followed up by residential outward bound courses in later years, indeed anything to curb the testosterone. Even the canteen ladies looked after us, loading our plates to ensure we ate well. Most of us also had part-time jobs to supplement our income during this time. A growing concern for the instructors whom I’m sure helped secure increases in our weekly pay.
After two years, we went to the nuclear plant for three more years. Each day comprised going to work, changing into site clothes, crossing the radiation barrier, working, lunch again crossing the radiation barrier, returning to work via the radiation barrier and finally crossing the barrier to go for a shower in the change rooms. We must have been the cleanest folk in town. Then, we are still doing our day release and two nights of evening school to obtain our various Higher National Certificates. The intake was comprised of mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation students. Each of us was moved from department to department on a three-monthly cycle, effectively covering the whole plant operation through research and development, production machining, mechanical maintenance and inspection departments.
At the end of our formal training, we were considered journeymen, and in the old days, we would go out into the world to ply our trade. Fortunately, our training ensured that we were usually offered work on the plant. I filled a vacancy in the Inspection Department, which set me on the way to greater things.