On a recent visit to Sellafield, I was impressed greatly by a third year female engineering apprentice. It made me reflect on where I was three years into my physics degree, serving to reinforce the huge benefits and values of work-based and relevant learning.

Employers like Sellafield, GSK, Innovia, Pirelli, the National Nuclear Laboratory and BAE Systems in Barrow are just some of the world-class organisations that need highly motivated, equipped and inspired staff.

At the University of Cumbria, a key part of our strategic focus going forward is working in partnership with employers across all of Cumbria’s public and private sector to provide the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) workforce of tomorrow.

In just 18 months we have recruited over 200 students to STEM subjects. This will grow to over 500 by 2020, with new engineering programmes in areas such as Nuclear Scientist and Nuclear Engineer apprenticeship standards, Biomedical Science and the Laboratory Scientist apprenticeship.

But it’s not just nuclear. Health sciences, conservation and the environment, not least through the work of our research centres including the Centre for National Parks and Protected Areas are an important part of what we can offer Cumbria.

When I graduated with a degree in mathematics and physics from the University of Leeds, my first lecturing position was in teaching physical measurement science to engineering students from Teesside’s process and steel-making industries. The majority were male.

The challenge of attracting more females onto STEM programmes remains, but we’re working closely with schools to nurture the progression and attainment of future female STEM specialists. For example, the visit by Professor Brian Cox to the September Infinity Festival, a gathering to discuss and demonstrate technology to secondary school age pupils, will play a part in inspiring scientists of the future.

I remain committed to sharing what I’ve learned and am proud to have been instrumental in bringing opportunities to encourage more women to consider science as a career. For example, a work placement at the national centre for scientific support to crime investigation in Durham (now part of the College of Policing) led to the creation of the first Crime Scene Science degree focused on science and technology at the crime scene. This area of STEM successfully attracts many women; our own senior lecturer, Ashleigh Hunt, who leads the university’s forensic course, is just one example.

New STEM labs at the university’s Fusehill Street campus opened last autumn with a £3.5m investment achieved with the support of Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership. This means students can enjoy expert tuition in first-class surroundings.

Our new strategic plan focuses on working with our partners and businesses to promote STEM; it’s crucial for the nuclear and advanced manufacturing sectors and just as important for health, education and the rural and visitor economy.

From previous experience I know that our approach to collaborating with partners will increase the numbers of people who take up science. This will make a huge difference to our county, in filling industry skills gaps, retaining young people, and ensuring economic prosperity.