Over the summer we have had different groups of young people join us on our work experience programme for young nuclear design engineers.

Around 80 Year 10/11 and 12/13 students from local schools and colleges in the Warrington area got an insight into what design engineering involves and the range of opportunities available in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers.

Using a multi-discipline project and individual tasks delivered by our own engineers, graduates and degree apprentices, the students completed 4 engineering modules designed to inform and inspire the workforce of the future.

Their placements were in:

• process
• mechanical
• control electrical and instrumentation
• civil and structural engineering design

Our ground-breaking work experience programme has had many successes over the years it’s been running.

Those successes include Lorna Sowerbutts who came to our Warrington offices to take part in our work experience programme with no idea what she wanted to do as a career.

After completing her work experience, she joined us as an apprentice in 2017 and has recently graduated with a first class honours degree in civil engineering.

She is now working as a civil engineer in our Infrastructure Strategic Alliance.

Lorna’s story shows the impact that successful work experience can have on young people who are considering their future choices.

Lewis Stanley, one of the students on this year’s programme, said:

This has been a really good experience. My background is film and media so I’ve enjoyed talking to people who work in engineering to understand the work they do.

If you’re interested in engineering I would definitely recommend this programme, especially if you’re studying science and design/technology.

There’s lots of different things to learn about and the team explained how to enter engineering and the different routes for qualifications and jobs.

Simon Wittridge, head of project functions, Sellafield Ltd said:

This really is an exceptional programme and a great way of showing the next generation the opportunities that are available to them – seeing young people embrace opportunities like this is a personal highlight for me.

Mark Duffy, engineering and education development manager added:

This programme is an excellent springboard for early career talent into the organisation.  Through the structured delivery format which mimics the approach to project delivery, the participants have a lens into engineering which brings alive their theoretical studies.

Next year, we are hoping to run the programme throughout multiple holiday periods, to increase opportunities for engagement and to open up the programme to more students.

We are also exploring working with other functions within Sellafield Ltd to widen to scope of our programme.

He will succeed Sir Stephen Lovegrove who will become the Prime Minister’s Defence Industrial Adviser. In his new role, Stephen Lovegrove will focus on a number of vital national and international defence programmes until the end of this year.

Tim Barrow is currently the Second Permanent Secretary and Political Director at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). He has extensive experience across a range of foreign and national security policy issues, including having served as Ambassador in Kyiv, Moscow, and to the European Union. As Political Director in the FCDO, he has worked on the biggest foreign policy issues facing the country, including playing a leading role in the UK’s diplomatic response to Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine.

Prime Minister Liz Truss said:

Sir Tim Barrow brings with him a huge wealth of experience safeguarding the interests and security of the British people around the world. This includes working on the UK’s response to Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine.

I would also like to thank Sir Stephen Lovegrove for his distinguished service as National Security Adviser. I am pleased he will continue to promote our thriving nuclear defence industry, working with key international partners to keep our people safe every day.

Cabinet Secretary Simon Case said:

I would like to thank Stephen for his remarkable leadership over the last year and a half as National Security Adviser. Stephen has led our national security response during a hugely significant period, encompassing the agreement of the AUKUS pact, the UK’s Presidency of the G7, the UK’s leading role in the response to the invasion of Ukraine and the drawdown from Afghanistan.

Stephen personally has played a vital role in this and I am delighted that he will continue to provide essential support to the Prime Minister and government in his role advising on projects of critical national importance.

I warmly welcome Tim to the role of National Security Adviser. Tim is very highly regarded across government and internationally and is ideally qualified to take up this particularly important role. We all look forward to working very closely with Tim in his new role.

Tim Barrow said:

It is an honour to have been appointed National Security Adviser. I look forward to working with the Prime Minister, the cabinet and colleagues from across Government to deliver the Prime Minister’s foreign policy and national security priorities.

I am grateful to Stephen for his leadership over the last 18 months and particularly for his work to ensure that the UK has the partnerships and capabilities it needs for the future. I look forward to strengthening these partnerships in the UK and overseas to deliver the UK’s national security interests.

Stephen Lovegrove said:

It has been the greatest privilege to serve as the UK’s National Security Adviser, and to have led the women and men of Britain’s incredible national security community. It has been an extraordinary period, and I am immensely proud of what we have achieved together, from the global leadership we have shown in supporting Ukraine to the hugely significant AUKUS partnership, which I look forward to continuing to support.

I know Tim will provide the leadership we need in this vital, often unsung, work and I wish him every success in his new role.

Notes to Editors

• Tim Barrow will assume the role of National Security Adviser from Wednesday 14th September.
• Stephen Lovegrove became the National Security Adviser in March 2021. Prior to this he was Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Defence since 2016, and Permanent Secretary of the Department of Energy and Climate Change since 2013.
• Prior to being appointed as the Second Permanent Secretary to the FCDO earlier this year, Tim Barrow had a long career in the diplomatic service, as Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the European Union in 2017, and as the British Ambassador to the European Union in 2020.

Emily is a scientist and joined the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) on its graduate scheme after completing a Bachelors in Mathematics at the University of East Anglia.

I initially applied for a role as a Missile Analyst with Weapons Systems Group, being attracted to having the ability to apply my Mathematics degree to real world scenarios and make an impact to a sector that isn’t solely motivated by profits. During this interview, I was identified as having sufficient technical knowledge but lacking military awareness and it was recommended that I join the graduate scheme.

During Emily’s time on the graduate scheme, she was given the opportunity to rotate through the many areas of Dstl’s Platforms Division and experience everything it had to offer.

One of my first tasks was with the Combat Air Survivability Simulation team, which gave me an insight into the world of fast jets and their capabilities and developments. This team allowed me to develop my coding skills by teaching me new languages in a hands-on environment, delivering tools and conducting data analysis from the outset.

Emily enjoyed the scheme and working with the team so much that she chose to join them full time, and was offered a permanent position.

The team is close-knit, supporting each other both technically and socially, often working late nights together to ensure deadlines are met and capabilities are delivered. This supportive style of working allowed me to develop my skills from industry leading experts alongside making friends, not just colleagues.

The role has given Emily the opportunity to work closely with the military, which has provided her with countless opportunities to gain insights into the way they work – which she wouldn’t get to see or understand outside of the role.

As part of the 2-year graduate scheme, I was fortunate to complete a 6-month external placement at Combat Air Force HQ, working alongside the pilots and ground staff to deliver a modelling tool to look into their workforce and training pipelines and assess their future capability. This gave me an unparalleled insight into the military and problems they face and allowed me to deliver a tool that could help shape the future of the force.

At the end of the scheme, Emily joined the simulation team full time and has continued to develop her technical skills. She has also been given the opportunity to be a Deputy Team Leader for the technical team and a Graduate Team Leader for the scheme.

This progression has allowed me to develop my leadership skills and confidence and has set me up for a strong career at Dstl.