The Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC) has launched its Graduate Plant Operator (GPO) Program, an initiative designed to equip Emirati graduates with the expertise needed to lead the future of nuclear energy operations in the UAE.
The program reflects ENEC’s long-term strategy to develop national talent and ensure a sustainable pipeline of professionals capable of running the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant for decades to come.
Open to high-achieving Emirati graduates in engineering disciplines such as Electrical, Mechanical and Nuclear, the scheme offers participants structured training combining theory with extensive hands-on experience. Candidates will begin their journey as Local Operators at Barakah, gaining vital insight into plant systems and operations.
After three years of service, successful participants will advance to Senior Reactor Operator (SRO) training, a critical leadership position tasked with overseeing plant operations, maintenance, and safety.
His Excellency Mohamed Al Hammadi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of ENEC, said:
“The Graduate Plant Operator Program is a strategic investment in our national human capital. By empowering today’s graduates, we are building the UAE’s clean energy legacy, ensuring our plant operates to the highest standards of safety, security, and efficiency.”
He emphasised the significance of nuclear energy in the country’s sustainability agenda and the long-term opportunities it creates. With a projected life cycle of more than 60 years, nuclear plants offer job security for generations, contributing to energy security and economic diversification.
The initiative builds on ENEC’s ongoing education and training programs, including scholarships, the Graduate Development Program (GDP), the Diploma in Nuclear Technology (DNT), and various internships. Collectively, these schemes have already supported over 1,000 Emiratis in developing skills to serve the growing nuclear energy sector.
At present, more than 70 Emirati Senior Reactor Operators and Reactor Operators form part of Barakah’s core operational workforce of 190 professionals. This achievement underscores the UAE’s progress in establishing a skilled local workforce to manage one of the world’s most advanced nuclear energy plants.
The launch of the GPO Program strengthens ENEC’s broader vision of creating a clean energy sector rooted in Emirati leadership. It aligns with the nation’s strategy to reduce carbon emissions, ensure energy independence, and provide sustainable careers in a field that will remain critical for at least the next century.
Applications for the GPO Program are now open. Emirati graduates interested in pursuing a career in nuclear operations can apply or learn more at www.enec.gov.ae/careers
