Cumbria, 1-5 July 2024, MissionCX Headquarters Westlakes Science Park — In an unprecedented display of industry-academia collaboration, 100 students from Energy Coast UTC and Warrington UTC participated in a transformative week of work experience, organised and delivered by MissionCX as part of our generous social impact pledge to give back to the communities and people of Cumbria. This fourth annual event brought together over 20 leading companies, providing students with an invaluable glimpse into their future careers, with a focus on the nuclear and defence sectors here in Cumbria.
A Week of Immersive Learning and Inspiration
From commissioning managers and engineers to project managers and scientists, students engaged in five days of hands-on activities, keynote speeches, and live project tasks. The week culminated in an inspiring careers fair, allowing students to explore various roles and gain practical insights that will shape their professional journeys.
Creating Future Opportunities Whilst Future Proofing Our Region & It’s Industry
In Cumbria, BAE Systems and Sellafield alone are set to recruit around 1,500 apprentices annually, nearly 25% of Cumbria’s annual school leavers. This gives an idea of the scale of new talent required to fulfil the counties employment needs. Events like these are crucial, providing a platform for employers to meet, inspire, and educate potential future employees in early careers, to ensure a future talent pipeline for our county, whilst ensuring young people secure promising futures of their own.
Ben Slater, Managing Director of MissionCX, commented:
“At MissionCX, we are dedicated to fostering the next generation of talent through hands-on experiences. Our commitment to developing future commissioning engineers, managers, and leaders is paramount to maintaining our industry’s world-leading status. This event underscores our role as a leader in the field, ensuring we continue to drive innovation and excellence in the nuclear, defence, and energy sectors. A special thank you goes to our 20 partner organisations, including BAE Systems, Dreadnought Alliance, Sellafield Ltd, Royal Navy, KBR, Inc., Programme and Project Partners (PPP), Armstrong Watson, NIS Ltd, Tom Crowe MCIPS, ProjectCX, Nuclear Institute, Cumbria Nuclear Graduates, Nuclear Institute Young Generation Network, Energy Coast UTC, Gen2, Prima Uno Ltd, React Engineering Limited, and many more, for their invaluable support. We have big things planned for next year and look forward to an even greater number of collaborations”.
MissionCX: Leading and Evolving the Programme for Four Years
MissionCX has proudly led, delivered, and evolved this programme for the past four years, continuously enhancing the experience for students and expanding the programme’s reach and impact each year, winning a prestigious Golden Apple Award last year for best Industry Engagement Programme. Their dedication to developing future industry leaders is evident in the programme’s growth and success.
Joanne Slater, Operations Director at MissionCX, shared:
“Hosting the UTC Energy Coast students, from both Whitehaven and Warrington, was an absolute privilege for us at MissionCX. Our team’s decades of industry experience were on full display, providing invaluable insights into the dynamic world of commissioning. We believe that by investing in young talent and sharing our expertise, we are not only supporting the community but also securing a bright future for the industry. This initiative is a testament to our commitment to social value and operational excellence, a huge thank you to our entire team and industry partners for delivering this exceptional event.”
Simon Richardson, Vice Principal of UTC Warrington, commented:
“The students greatly benefited from the exposure to real-world industry challenges and the opportunity to interact with seasoned professionals. This event has been instrumental in bridging the gap between academic learning and practical application. Our students returned with a renewed sense of purpose and enthusiasm for their future careers. I have been proud to support this MissionCX event for the past four years and witness its evolution and growing impact.”
Tim Ripper, BAE Systems, shared:
“At BAE Systems, we recognise the importance of working together to ensure young people have access to all the career opportunities available to them. Speaking to the students about the opportunities at BAE was incredibly rewarding. MissionCX is forging the way in this regard, and it’s fantastic to see such a proactive approach from a local company. Their efforts in creating these opportunities are vital for the future of our industry, our people and our communities.”
Gareth White, Sellafield Ltd, commented:
“I thoroughly enjoyed participating in the MissionCX event. The enthusiasm and curiosity displayed by the students were truly inspiring. This event not only provides valuable industry insights but also fosters collaboration between companies and educational institutions. It’s a fantastic initiative that Sellafield Ltd is proud to support, as it plays a crucial role in developing the skilled workforce of tomorrow.”
Upcoming 12-Month MissionCX Pathfinders Programme
In line with our commitment to continuous development, we are excited to announce the launch of a new 12-month pathfinders programme. Details about this innovative initiative will be released imminently, providing another exceptional opportunity for aspiring professionals to develop their skills and career prospects.
