[T]he MP for Copeland has joined more than 130 Sellafield apprentices in Whitehaven for their graduation ceremony.
Trudy Harrison MP attended the official awards giving ceremony at Whitehaven Golf Club on Friday.
Sellafield, which has trained more than 10,000 apprentices over the past 65 years offers 21 diverse apprenticeship schemes ranging from business and administration to nuclear welding inspection.
Mrs Harrison, who has recently taken up a position as Apprentice Ambassador and co-chair of the Apprenticeship Delivery Board, said: “It was an honour to join Sellafield apprentices for their graduation ceremony today and see their hard work and commitment pay off – they should all be extremely proud of their achievements.”
Investing £5m every year in apprentice programmes, the company is aiming to elevate Cumbria as a Centre of Nuclear Excellence, providing the best quality education, training and employment opportunities for local people.
Mrs Harrison, added: “The range of schemes on offer at Sellafield, including courses up to degree level, highlights the importance Sellafield Ltd places on training the next generation of nuclear workers.
“The company has an award-winning training programme that will ensure its graduates play a crucial role in tackling the challenges at one of the largest decommissioning sites in the world.”
This September, the company welcomed 106 new apprentices with a further 35 degree apprentices set to start next year.
Les Studholme, head of Sellafield Ltd training said: “We’re extremely proud of our young trainees at Sellafield. They demonstrate the huge opportunities offered to young people by the Sellafield mission, and the value we place on high quality training and development.
“I’d like to thank Trudy for spending time with our employees today, and for her words of encouragement to those embarking on a career in the nuclear industry.
“To have people like Trudy as an ambassador for the value of apprenticeships will help Cumbria cement its reputation as a hub of nuclear skills and expertise.”
Next month, Sellafield Ltd will be attending Mrs Harrison’s skills fair in Whitehaven welcoming jobseekers, school leavers and those looking for a training opportunity or apprenticeship.
Anne Milton, the Government’s new Apprenticeship Minister, said such events are a great way to showcase employment, training and apprenticeship opportunities in the constituency.
She said: “I know a lot of my Conservative colleagues organise similar events and they are always very successful.
“There are so many exciting opportunities out there for young people, whichever direction they want to go down, so it’s great that Trudy is helping to showcase these at the skills fair.
“She is passionate about supporting young people and knows the importance of ensuring they get the right advice for their future and I want to wish her all the best for the event.”
