Surge in Sellafield apprenticeships

Friday, 23 August 2013

A record number of young people are to start courses leading to employment at the UK's nuclear fuel cycle centre, Sellafield.

Clean-up and decommissioning programs afford long-term prospects, while new reactors stand to further increase employment scope

Swelling numbers of apprentices have made this year's intake of 121 a record for the site - one likely to be broken in 2014 as the trend continues. Sellafield Ltd managing director Tony Price said "This is a record intake for us but apprentice numbers have increased over the last five years, and will continue to."

Courses on health physics and project management have been added to the usual ones of electrical and mechanical skills as well as business administration. Those apprentices that complete the three-and-a-half year courses are guaranteed a job in the nuclear industry, said Sellafield Ltd.

At present most of the new apprentices are aged between 16 and 18 years old. Most will join the 10,000-strong workforce of the Sellafield site, home to UK national nuclear facilities some of which date back to the Cold War. Eight of the new starters are based in Sellafield Ltd's Warrington ofice.

Local council leader Elaine Woodburn said, "The increase in numbers on the apprenticeship scheme is a positive - and one which we hope will continue year on year to ensure the skillset in the local area matches the needs of our biggest employer. In doing this we are also ensuring that our young people are armed with the skills they need for both the local labour market and much further afield."

Researched and written
by World Nuclear News