“Having been a Weapons Engineer in the Royal Navy, I wanted to work at AWE to continue my involvement in the delivery of the UK’s Continuous At Sea Deterrence (CASD) and UK Defence and Security requirements. I could see how my skills and experiences could add value, and that the company was a Forces friendly employer.
At first, I was nervous to join without a deep understanding of the business and its unique outputs. That soon went away, as the company’s clear culture, ethos and way of operating came through, and as multiple individuals, regardless of grade, background or time served, leaned in to help and guide me. I also noticed how important professional and personal development are to the company and despite only being here for a short time, I’ve been able to take part in several learning opportunities. These have not only helped me develop but also really helped me build a network within the company.
It’s clear that there are exciting times ahead at AWE, and that there is something here for everyone. The company’s values and behaviours are well aligned to those inherent in all Royal Navy personnel; commitment, integrity, loyalty, respect for others, and the ability to quickly learn and adopt to new situations. Some may think a background in Nuclear Weapons or Submarines is needed. It isn’t and there are ex-Royal Navy, Army and RAF colleagues right across the business. The package is fair too. I especially like the 9-Day fortnight (alternate Fridays are non-working days), as it allows a three-day weekend and proper reset every fortnight. Something that’s not offered widely elsewhere!”