Class of 1983’s tribute to Urenco

The value of STEM education and how it can lead to successful, fulfilling careers, has been highlighted after seven former Urenco apprentices revisited the company’s UK site – 40 years later. 

David Smeatham, Andrew Male, Simon Bennett, Roger Garnett, Sean Nicholson, Stephen Owens and Anthony Foran were reunited for a site tour at Urenco’s Capenhurst enrichment site. 

The seven had completed their training back in 1983, with most going on to have engineering-related careers whilst three are still in the civil nuclear industry today.   

David and Andrew now work at the Office for Nuclear Regulation in Bootle while Roger is based at Westinghouse/Springfields Fuels Ltd. 

All of the former apprentices stressed the importance of their grounding at Urenco and in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths).   

David said: “My apprenticeship at Capenhurst provided an excellent basis for my subsequent career. Not just the technical aspects but the importance of building good workplace relationships too.”

Andrew said: “My apprenticeship at Capenhurst gave me the knowledge,  skills, experience and drive to succeed at every stage of my career since.”

Simon, who now works in Chile, said: “The knowledge and attention to detail of the technicians we learned from set the bar for my subsequent career in engineering.”

Urenco is committed to nurturing the next generation of scientists and engineers through education programmes, apprenticeships, internships, graduate placements and on-the-job development.   

Tony, now self employed, added: “The fact that I had served my apprenticeship there always held me in good stead wherever I went as people within the industry held the company with such high regard.”

For more information about careers at Urenco, click here.

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