A showcase of skills was on display at a prestigious awards night to celebrate world class nuclear expertise.
Hundreds of nuclear professionals gathered last night for the UK Nuclear Skills Awards 2020, at the Hilton Hotel, Manchester.
Sponsored by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, the event was organised by the National Skills Academy Nuclear and Cogent Skills.
Sellafield Ltd enjoyed a winning night with two employees scooping top awards – Sophie Kelly, was named Scientific Apprentice of the Year and Josephine Stabler, was Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Champion of the Year.
Josephine said: “I am delighted to have won this award against a tough field of fantastic ambassadors. I’m proud of the work I’ve been involved in to help ensure that Sellafield and the wider nuclear industry is a place where everyone is able to perform at their best. A huge number of people’s lives are impacted by autism and by working together, we can minimise the impact of this on their working lives.”
Sophie said: “I am so thankful and overwhelmed to have been awarded the UK Scientific Apprentice of the Year. I can’t thank Sellafield enough for the continued support and recognition. I have seized every opportunity that has led me to this, I can’t wait for the future within the nuclear industry.”
Runners-up on the night included Sellafield’s Bethan Murray and Yasmin Yu, Energus nucleargraduate sponsored by Magnox, both in the Science Graduate of the Year category.
Corhyn Parr, the NDA’s Director of Integrated Waste, spoke about the mission to drive forward the nuclear decommissioning mission and highlighted the need for the right skills now, and in the future.
Corhyn, also the chair of the Nuclear Skills Strategy Group (NSSG), said: “The NDA is proud to sponsor the UK Nuclear Skills Awards, an event which shows the huge talent we have across the industry and I would like to congratulate all of the finalists and winners.
“Our work demands innovative solutions and that’s why we constantly strive to attract and maintain a talented workforce.
“It is essential we provide a ladder of opportunity for people to help us realise our ambitions and aspirations for the future by ensuring we have the right skills to help take forward our decommissioning mission.”
Hosting the event – attended by representatives from across the nuclear industry – was TV star Dallas Campbell, of The Gadget Show and Bang Goes The Theory fame.
A Nuclear Skills Summit, organised by the NSSG, was held earlier the same day. It included the Nuclear Institute’s Young Generation Network and leaders from outside the industry sharing best practice from other sectors, including discussion around leadership and apprenticeships.
