Sophie Davison

"Hi, I'm Sophie! I am 24 years old and my job title is a Fuel Route Operations Technician at a Nuclear power station. I work assembling fuel for loading into a nuclear reactor. I is also the lead of the Young Professionals Network on site and on the Charity commitee, giving me a diverse experience of the company. I got the Innovator, Manager and Quality Controler types in the My Skills My Learning Quiz. I'd say I am a curious and kind person, who loves finding out more about the engineering world. I enjoy having the opportunity to work with many teams and a wide range of people, as well as completing networking activities and volunteering for charity events. "

"I started as a Mechanical Apprentice Technician, now qualified I have moved to the Operations Department. I work on shift, with the Fuel Route Operations Team, where I work two 12h Days, two 12h Nights and five days off. This role involves assembling and working with fuel and monitoring parts of the nuclear reactors on site. I am coping with the change from Maintenance to Operations, and with going onto shift. This is helped by working with people who have an amazing array of knowledge and I have found that having a background of the theory from my studies has helped me immensely. I am slowly building up my confidence in my new job!When I first started my apprenticeship, I was earning around £10,000 a year, but this more than doubled over four years to £21,000. Also, in my first two years, my food, accomodation and some travel expences were also paid for.Now I am qualified, the basic wage as an Operations Technician is £30,000 but this does not include payments for being a shift and emergency scheme worker. "

"I stayed in further education after I left school at 16, I enjoyed maths and science but I wasn't sure what was out there for me. Over two years I applied to 24 apprenticeships and ended up choosing EDF Energy because of the amazing life skills, opportunities, location and future prospects. This apprenticeship only required 5 GCSEs grade A-C, but some apprenticeships I applied for required A Levels. I spent the first two years of the EDF Energy Maintenance Apprenticeship at Royal Navy training establishments learning the basics of engineering before coming back to my present site, a Nuclear power station, to further develop my role.I was given the opportunity, whilst on the EDF Energy Apprenticeship Scheme, to study by completing NVQ L2 and Engineering Maintenance L3 BTEC and a Mechanical Engineering HNC with a Distinction. After graduating from my Maintenance Apprenticeship, I was offered a job as an Operations Technician on shift. I have considered looking to go into being a Team Leader or Engineer in the future, or maybe going into Management."

"In my spare time, I enjoy reading, DIY and spending time with family as well as skydiving, both indoors and out! I volunteer as a Site Lead of the EDF Energy Young Professional Network in my breaks, I also complete charity work whernever I can for Breast Cancer Now, St. John’s Hospice and Martha’s Dream.I enjoy socialising with the other Young Professionals outside of work and I have also had the opportunity to get involved with multiple networking events, including the WISE Awards 2017. I have found that I can connect with people throughout the industry and I have loved being able to meet an array of amazing women who support each other. "

"I work two 12h day shifts, two 12h night shifts and 5 days off. My team comprises of around 7 Operational Technicians, a Deputy Team Leader, a Team Leader and an Engineer. A typical shift for me starts at the start of shift brief, where the Engineer and Team Leader discuss with the team issues of the previous shifts, tasks to complete in your shift and training required. We then work as a team, or smaller groups to achieve what is required. We report everything to the Control Room, who have Desk Engineers watching the reactors information. "

"I completed my GCSEs in 2010 and 2011 and got a mix of results, 4xAs, 3xBs, 1xC and 1xD grade, A - Maths, A - Physics, A - Biology, A - DramaB - Chemistry, B - Statistics, B - English Language, B - English LiteratureC - RED - HistoryCritical Thinking AS Level Grade E I changed school for my A Levels, studying Maths (A Level Grade B), Chemistry (A Level Grade D), Physics (A Level Grade D), Biology (AS Level Grade E). I even tried doing a language, I did a Level 1 Certificate (Full Course) Italian, I got a Distinction, but it was very difficult as I don't find languages as easy as numbers! I completed an Engineering Maintenance L3 BTEC, whilst applying for apprenticeships. In over two years I applied to 24 apprenticeships and choose EDF Energy's Engineering Maintenance Apprenticeship. 4 years later, I graduated from my apprenticeship with an NVQ L2, Engineering Maintenance L3 BTEC and a Distinction in a Mechanical HNC. All of these qualifications were organised and paid for by EDF Energy. Then, I was offered a role in Operations as an Operations Technician. I am now settling in, learning a new role and meeting more people! "