A COLLABORATION between Sellafield Ltd and the University of Cumbria marked its fifth anniversary last month.
In 2016 the two organisations created A Project Academy for Sellafield to improve performance and prepare teams to deal with new projects and challenges.

The focus was also on building longer-term supply chain relationships, to ensure Sellafield and their suppliers could be developed sustainably.

Qualifications on offer range from one-day introductory courses to those at Doctorate level.

During the past five years, the Academy has developed and supported the launch of a number of new products including a level 6 trailblazer project management degree apprenticeship and university certificates in project controls and project scope baseline management.

During that time the Academy has delivered 95,000 hours of education, 4,700 Sellafield course attendances and 46 people studying for project management degree apprenticeships.

More recently, training and education expanded into Sellafield’s supply chain, external employers and the local community – resulting in the launch of the wider University of Cumbria Project Academy last year. Similar project management activities are being delivered to other leading employers including BAE Systems, the NHS and Rolls-Royce.

The Project Academy for Sellafield was also shortlisted as a finalist in the NSAN 2021 UK Nuclear Skills Awards in the Best Provider & Employer Collaboration Award category.

Neil Crewdson, Interim Project Delivery Director at Sellafield Ltd said: “Working closely with the University and local education providers means we can develop sustainable education which benefits our organisation, supply chain and local economy. All of this will deliver long term results for the tax payer - ultimately making Sellafield safer, sooner.”

Julie Mennell, Vice Chancellor of the University of Cumbria said: “Reflecting on the last five years, it is clear to see the impact of the partnership and the benefits being delivered in Cumbria and beyond. We look forward to the future and further strengthening our ability to address industry and employers’ needs.”