Harry — Electrical Maintenance Engineer

Hartlepool Power Station – Protection Electrical Support Group (2019-Present) I joined PESG as a senior member of the maintenance team and had to become familiar with the equipment on the go to help support the team. My main responsibilities in PESG are testing and fault finding on the fast fire suppression system, responsible for controlling the fire safety on site as well as the nuclear safety. I am responsible for maintaining the batteries in the no break system on site, which is the safety back up for essential cooling and control equipment for the nuclear reactors. Due to the critical nature of this job I ensure I work to regulated tolerances and have become familiar with the permit to work system ensuring I never put myself or my team in an unsafe environment. Whilst working on the plant and would never hesitate to highlight any unsafe acts which would jeopardise the team members or the plant. Since joining the team I have mentored several technicians and apprentices and have helped individuals progress in EDF Energy to different challenging roles throughout the company.

Hartlepool Power Station – Reactor Systems (2017-2019) My roles and responsibilities in reactor systems consisted of maintaining plant class 1 equipment which controlled the nuclear fission process and the safe operating conditions of the reactor. These included overhaul, testing and recommissioning the gas circulator motors which are 11kV fans which cool the reactor. Due to the gas circulators being in the reactor, nuclear safety was paramount and strict measures were put in place to ensure I completed the maintenance in the safest way and to the highest standard possible. I was also in charge of maintaining Rotork and Hopkinson actuators on vital co2 inlet and outlet valves from the reactor. My other roles in Reactor systems included conducting emergency lighting maintenance as well as overhaul and testing of LV & HV switchgear including DOL starters and 3.3kV and 11kV air blast circuit breakers and MSD's. I developed a well-rounded set of electrical skills in reactor systems as a junior member of the team. After two years I was asked to transfer to a team as a senior member to mentor newly qualified technicians and apprentices. I have good leadership and communication skills, so I jumped at the opportunity to help a struggling team.

Hartlepool Power Station – Advanced Apprenticeship (2015-2017) After the first two years of my apprenticeship I was chosen to move to Hartlepool power station to spend the following two years working in different maintenance and engineering groups, to learn both practical and technical skills including working in a safe and efficient manner. I also learned the correct working procedures for maintenance of plant class 1 equipment such as the pressure vessel cooling system for the nuclear reactors. Towards the end of my apprenticeship I was nominated as a competent person to work on plant directly related to nuclear safety and I completed my apprenticeship in the reactor maintenance group. I finished my apprenticeship as the best electrical technician in my year and was offered a full time contract.

Babcock Engineering Academy – HMS Sultan (2013-2015) After completing a 6 month selection process I was offered a position on the EDF Energy advanced apprenticeship scheme. I was required me to move away from home and live on a naval base for two years whilst I attended the Babcock Engineering Academy. In the two years I spent in HMS Sultan I developed an interest in electrical engineering and decided to pursue that as a career path. I was regularly challenged to present technical presentations to a team and developed clear and calculated communication skills as well as developing technical knowledge relevant to my role.