More than 100 newly qualified nuclear professionals are now positioned to help drive forward one of the most important decommissioning challenges in the world, having successfully completed their apprenticeships at Sellafield Ltd. 

Marked by a recent graduation ceremony, the youngsters celebrated the end of their training and the start of an exciting career in the nuclear industry, having gained full-time employment at the nuclear site. 

Elliot Roberts, aged 21 from Dalton-in-Furness, has now completed his Control Systems apprenticeship, he said: “I chose an apprenticeship over a place at university and now I am qualified I am really glad I made that decision. My training included a Foundation Degree and I have now decided to top it up to a full BA Honours Degree with the full support of the company, so I feel like I have had the best possible start to my career.”

Certificates were presented to those who have now formally qualified in each of the apprenticeship schemes, from design, electrical and mechanical engineers to business administration, nuclear operators, nuclear welders and health physics monitors. 

They will now step into full-time employment with Sellafield Ltd, which has a 98% apprentice retention rate, one of the highest in the country. 

Jamie Reed MP opened the event by admitting he will be encouraging his own children to pursue an apprenticeship. 

He described Sellafield Ltd apprenticeships as “the best in the country, setting a gold standard”, with those qualifying becoming “a hugely valuable asset to Cumbria as the original northern powerhouse, the nuclear industry and the UK”. 

Sue Hayman MP and John Woodcock MP also attended, echoing this praise of the company’s commitment to local apprenticeships and encouraging the youngsters to make the most of the opportunities that are available to them. 

John Woodcock MP, who before the event toured the newly refurbished apprentice training centre at the Sellafield site, told the group to “embrace everything that the finest county in England has to offer” as they have an important part to play in the industrial renaissance. 

He also commended the company’s recent award success having been named top apprentice employer at the North West heat of the National Apprenticeships Awards 2015. 

Mr Woodcock added: “In Cumbria Sellafield is leading the way a record intake of 211 this year – with 22 coming from the Barrow are. I noticed that the company had won the BT award for Macro Employer of the Year and that reflects the importance that the company attaches to quality training for young people. 

“The company’s responsibility for cleaning up and decommissioning Europe’s most complex nuclear operation is a heavy one and it is of crucial importance that its employees receive the best training available, the fact that they are training over 500 apprentices bodes well for the future.” 

Sellafield Ltd has had a record year for apprentice recruitment, welcoming 211 new apprentices in September – the highest intake in the site’s history, of which 32% are female, significantly higher than the national average of 7%. 

Earlier this year the company pledged to make 5% of its workforce trainees within the next five years as part of the 5% club, and lead the way on the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills ‘trailblazer’ apprenticeships.