Published at 09:45, Thursday, 19 July 2012

THE achievements of GEN II’s high education learners have been celebrated at the firm’s first ever graduation ceremony.

The inaugural ceremony was held on Saturday in which graduates were presented with certificates and special awards.

The ceremony was a joint celebration in partnership with Sellafield Ltd, with all of the graduates receiving awards and certificates currently employed and being supported through their studies by Sellafield Ltd.

Five of the graduates attending the ceremony achieved a Bachelor of Engineering Degree in Nuclear Plant with a remaining 22 graduates achieving a Foundation Degree in Nuclear Related Technology.

Joining in the celebrations were Peter and Louise Tyson (mayor and mayoress of Copeland), George Beveridge (deputy managing director of Sellafield) and Tim Chittenden (rear admiral and vice-president of the Nuclear Institute).

There were four special awards presented during the ceremony: Academic Achievement, to Ross Olney from Carlisle; Endeavour Award, to Vanessa Wallace from Workington; Industrial Project Award, to Michael Bell from Carlisle; and Foundation Degree Nuclear Student of the Year, to Matthew Messenger from Maryport.

Stephen Kitchin, from The Institute of Measurement and Control, also presented additional awards to Matthew Messenger and David Kennett who achieved high grades in their Foundation Degrees in Nuclear Related Technology in Instrumentation and Control.

Mike Smith, GEN II’s chief executive officer, said: “We are very proud to be able to hold our first GEN II graduation ceremony to celebrate the achievements of our higher education students.

“GEN II is almost unique in being one of only a handful of private training providers in the UK who offer training from Level 1 through to Level 7 qualifications.

“The team of GEN II lecturers has worked closely with Sellafield Ltd to develop and deliver Foundation and Bachelor Degrees specifically to meet the needs of the nuclear industry.

“It is our intention to continue to work with local organisations to ensure that we deliver high quality training, across the full educational spectrum.

“On behalf of GEN II I would like to congratulate the graduates for their hard work and dedication shown throughout their studies.

“Despite balancing the demands of a full time job at Sellafield Ltd, in addition to their studies, most of the students achieved their degrees at merit and distinction level. I am sure they will have a rewarding career ahead of them.”

Mr Beveridge added: “I was delighted to be invited to attend the graduation event, the students involved have shown great dedication and determination, qualities which will help them throughout their careers, and the event was a celebration of their success.

“At Sellafield Ltd we are tackling some of the most challenging decommissioning activities in the world, and we need highly skilled, committed people to help us achieve our mission, which is why we take training and higher education so seriously.”

Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk