Josh Luckman is an Engineer with Capula. We asked him to tell us more about his career so far:

Tell us a little about the company you work for and your job title

Capula are a leading independent systems integrator for control, automation and operational intelligence systems. For over 50 years Capula have developed, engineered and implemented advanced technologies that enable our clients to safely operate and control some of the most strategically important facilities in the UK. Our presence is established across all sectors, including renewable energy, power generation, transmission and distribution, water, oil and gas and the sector that I work in, which is Nuclear.

I have worked for Capula for nearly 10 years, starting as a Junior Systems Engineer, progressing to Software Technician and now Engineer; with my experience spanning the Utilities, Transmission & Distribution and Nuclear sectors.

As an Engineer, my role sees me involved in all aspects of the systems development lifecycle from specification, design, development and testing, through to installation and commissioning. What that means is I’m able to have a real impact on the delivery of the project from start to finish and develop longstanding relationships with our clients along the way. The responsibilities associated with being an Engineer and the delivery of projects creates a fast paced, challenging and without doubt, rewarding environment to grow and develop in.

Tell us how you got involved in the nuclear industry

I joined Capula on my 18th birthday following completion of an apprenticeship elsewhere. I didn’t really know what I wanted to do, I just knew that I had an interest in Engineering and Capula were an engineering company with a huge presence locally. The first project I worked on was a large-scale SCADA replacement project within the Utilities sector. It was this project that kind of cemented the capabilities and importance of not only Capula, but our engineering industry as a whole in the UK.  Since then, I spent a considerable amount of time in the Transmission and Distribution (T&D) sector developing RTU based substation control systems and, along with a brilliant team, supported the development of what is now known as our IMPERIUM SCS.

Having spent a number of years in T&D, it was completing a PLC programming module on my foundation degree that really created an itch to dip my toe into learning more about PLC based control systems. One of my personal goals was to develop myself into an ‘well rounded’ engineer and I knew that the a lot of Nuclear projects we worked on used PLCs. I knew the projects were diverse and challenging and after speaking with friends and peers who worked within the Nuclear department, it was something I knew I wanted to sink my teeth into.  I remember bombarding the Nuclear business manager with emails basically asking if an opportunity presents itself, I’d love to join the team and I suppose the rest is history.

Tell us a little about the type of things you have been involved in so far

In the last two years I have had the opportunity to support a variety of exciting, nationally critical projects within the Nuclear sector ranging from Power Generation, Waste Management, Decommissioning and Defence. This mixed bag of projects ensures that no day is boring; I can be writing code from home one week, testing at Capula offices the next and then be at any one of out project sites supporting the installation and commissioning of our systems.

Tell us about something you're proud to have achieved

I’m particularly proud of being awarded T&D Employee of the year 2015 in recognition for my continued performance and effort during my time with the T&D team, at the annual Capula Awards, though I’d have to say the achievement I am most proud to have accomplished is my 2:1 BEng (Hons) degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering whilst juggling a demanding career,  family and social life.

Tell us about the opportunities you have for development

Capula have a great development programme and support employees at any stage in their career, in addition to having established apprenticeship and graduate schemes. Since joining Capula in 2011, I have been given endless opportunities to develop professionally and academically.  Personally, I’ve completed various product training courses, gained an level 3 ILM leadership and management diploma and I’ve just been booked in to have Siemens PCS7 training at Siemens headquarters in Manchester. In 2015, Capula generously offered to support and sponsor my FdSc in Electrical and Electronic Technology and upon successful completion, offered further to support and sponsor my BEng (Hons) in Electrical and Electronic Engineering where I achieved a 2:1 in the summer of 2020.

Tell us about your ambitions

In the short term I am excited to continue my progression within the Nuclear sector at Capula. I am currently working towards a professional qualification, Incorporated Engineer (IEng), offered by the Institute of Engineering and Technology. Following on from this I hope to continue working my way up to Senior Engineer and Chartered Engineer status.

Tell us about why Sizewell C is important to you

Sizewell C is not only important to me, it is important to Capula, the rest of the UK and the wider world in tackling climate change and achieving net zero. The economic benefits generated from opportunities linked directly or indirectly to the Sizewell C Nuclear power station project are clear, as is the development of the jobs, skills and apprentices who will become the next generation of Engineers across the UK.