A Cumbrian training programme has won a global award.

nucleargraduates, based at Energus, Lillyhall, beat off stiff competition for the prestigious Training and Development Award at the IChemE Global Awards, including Imperial College London, GHD and Sellafield.

The awards celebrate excellence and achievement in chemical, biochemical and process engineering.

Judges said: "The UK’s nuclear industry is facing its biggest challenge in decades.

"Decommissioning and new build projects mean the need for suitably skilled graduates from the UK is greater than ever.

"The nucleargraduates programme was established to bring together organisations from across the industry to attract the next generation of graduates in a strategic, yet cost-effective, manner.

"The nucleargraduates programme is delivered to be adaptable and bespoke to a wide variety of companies and graduates."

Adrienne Easterbrook, Energus general manager, said: "We are absolutely delighted to have won the Training and Development Award.

"nucleargraduates is delivered by a small team of five based in West Cumbria, to win this award in a global category is a fabulous achievement.

"This award comes at a time when we are on the cusp of obtaining IChemE accreditation for the programme.

"It is a testament to all the current and alumni chemical engineering graduates we have had on the programme.

"nucleargraduates has just celebrated 10 years of success and this accolade really emphasises our commitment to addressing the skills gaps across the industry.’’