The LSIP Cumberland Engineering & Construction Skills Steering Group has been running for about a year now. It was set up following a great piece of work undertaken for the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) by specialist consultancy Think, looking at challenges, and opportunities.
The focus of the research was on Cumberland, given the issues being raised consistently by businesses around Sellafield and nuclear supply chain and their impact on recruitment and retention and salaries. However the research showed that while the nuclear industry is part of the challenge there are a range of other issues at play, and reminded people that the nuclear sector also faces skills challenges. Think’s report is available here Local Skills Improvement Plan – Cumbria Chamber of Commerce as an annex to the 2025 LSIP Progress Report.
To drive forward actions to address the issues and opportunities, we set up a steering group, bringing together a range of stakeholders and jointly led by ourselves and Cumberland Council, with the personal commitment to the group of Cumberland Leader Mark Fryer. The group includes Carlisle College, Cumberland Council, Cumbria Careers Hub, Cumbria Chamber, DWP, ECITB, Gen2, Lakes College, RAICo, Sellafield and the University of Cumbria. The work itself goes beyond the steering group.
The following isn’t an exhaustive overview of everything the group has discussed or done, or is doing, but is intended to give a flavour. And some of Think’s findings and recommendations were better addressed elsewhere so this group isn’t focussing on those but will support where it can add to – for example we’re not looking to duplicate the Work & Health Board and the Get Cumbria Working Plan. Equally, where stakeholders are anyway undertaking activities directly relevant to the work of the group we’re seeking to support and enhance those.
ECITB Work Ready Pathway
An initiative we have been actively working together on – and will continue to – is ECITB’s Work Ready Pathways model, moving people into work in the nuclear supply chain. Following a successful first cohort, two cohorts have now started at Lakes College on Level 2 Fabrication & Welding and Level 2 Mechanical. Huge congratulations to Steve Hampton from cohort 1 with Gen2, who is now employed by Nuvia and has been shortlisted as a finalist in the New Entrant of the Year category in ECITB’s national Annual Awards (Award categories and finalists – ECITB) – and fingers crossed for a much deserved win!
On which topic, congratulations and fingers crossed also for Sellafield Ltd, as a finalist in ED&I initiative of the Year, and Sellafield’s Anoushka Van Mourik, as a finalist in Graduate of the Year.
DWP is looking at expanding the ECITB Work Ready model to other client groups, such as care experienced people and older workers. CITB is looking at the pilot and the potential to extend it to civils and Cumberland Council at looking at opportunities to take this forward with them.
Systems Engineering
Work by the National College for Nuclear (NCfN) is progressing well on design of a Framework of Qualifications for Systems Engineering developing a system of qualifications that offer multiple stepping on and stepping off points, where students could obtain small awards that could build into major qualifications over time. This responds to an identified (Sellafield, NDA and BAE) shortage of SQEPd personnel at all levels of qualification.
It’s intended that the framework will include the ability to ‘convert ’ or ‘bridge ’into the discipline and address lack of subject-specific entry qualifications. It should also include opportunities for under-resourced NEETs (especially young males), disabled people, long-term unemployed and ex-offenders.
The framework will build upon existing curriculum that’s been developed by the NCfN, including existing Level 3 and Level 4 bridging courses. It will map out relevant existing qualifications from Level 3 to 7 and should allow applicants to enter at any level that is relevant to their experience. Levels 3, 4 and 5 will include nationally recognised qualifications, but bespoke foundation, topup and master’s degrees will also be relevant at higher levels.
Last year we were able to support NCfN and the University of Cumbria, through LSIP funding, to undertake an initial piece of work towards developing a full proposal mapping qualification and conversion pathways and qualifications within one area as a test case. This first stage was a top-level summary explaining the Systems Engineering Framework and setting out an outline framework to support onward discussion with employers and help secure support.
We’ve now been able to support the next phase, the delivery of the pilot level 2 Fundamentals of Systems Engineering Course. This pilot course has been developed and marketing engaged, going out for recruitment from October. This has been possible with funding by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund via Cumberland Council.* Lakes College is delivering this pilot course, with recruitment targeting in particular, but not limited to:
- Unemployed people
- People on low wages
- Recent non-STEM graduates
- Cross skilling from various sectors
Beyond this the plan is to develop further appropriate qualifications/short programmes, including include bridging programmes which can be funded through Life Long Learning Entitlements.
Community Apprenticeships/Flexi-Jobs Agency
Work to address the challenges of smaller employers training apprentices and then losing them to others includes a number of options. Team Barrow are looking at similar challenges so as part of this we’re working together to look at the opportunities for and feasibility of a Flexi Jobs Agency. This Agency would be the apprentice employer, giving opportunities for shared apprenticeships between employers. As part of this work we’re currently engaging interest from employers in participating in such a model. Please contact joe@cumbriachamber.co.uk if you are interested in participating or finding out more.
Careers Activity
Work is underway between Cumbria Careers Hub and the Chamber on a number of actions, including how we can ensure key sectors support the requirement for 2 weeks work experience and address disadvantage in obtaining meaningful works experience, noting the process introduced by Sellafield which gives wide opportunity so it’s not who you know. We’re also looking at how employers and best support and engage with schools on behaviours and understanding.
T Levels
Lakes College and the Chamber are working together on a around T Levels to improve employer understanding of T Levels as part of their recruitment pipeline and engage employers in offering placements.
Levy Sharing
Carlisle College, Sellafield and the Chamber are working on activities to highlight and promote opportunities for levy sharing – to those who could share and to those who could benefit.
CROSS
Cumbria Robotics Operational Skills Centre (CROSS), led by RAICo, is progressing well with curriculum development due to be initiated and a pilot planned for (hopefully) March 2026. They’re working with the ECITB on the business case for sustainability beyond year 1 and looking at equipment going into Gen2 for joint delivery in co-branded space. Sellafield apprentices will go through a robotics module.
* The UK Shared Prosperity Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. More information is available here UK Shared Prosperity Fund webpage.
