NuGen has teamed-up with the Nuclear Institute to sponsor five talented sixth-formers on the prestigious Arkwright Engineering Scholarship scheme.
The scheme is an opportunity for “exceptional young people” to be sponsored by industry – with the aim of creating a pool of top-quality engineers for the future.
Arkwright Engineering Scholarships “identify, inspire and nurture” the brightest students entering sixth form with an aptitude for engineering, science and design.
The Arkwright charitable trust receives 1500 requests for scholarships across the UK every year. After a process including assessments and exams, only 350 of the best candidates are selected for the two-year scholarship.
John McNamara, NuGen’s Head of Corporate Communications said the nuclear new-build company was delighted to be involved.
“We are steadily building a company to develop and deliver a major engineering opportunity for the UK. The Moorside Project will be a long-term commitment to Cumbria and the North-West, and investing in the engineers of the future is very worthwhile.”
“We are delighted to be part of this great initiative, to support exceptional young people at a crucial stage in their development.”
The Arkwright Trust received significant interest from students wanting to work in the nuclear sector. The scheme will be managed by the Nuclear Institute – with partners, including NuGen funding scholars for a two-year period.
Regional branches of the Nuclear Institute, along with members of the Young Generation Network, will help mentor the scholars.
John Robertson, chair of the Nuclear Institute’s education and training committee, welcomed NuGen on board.
He said: “I am delighted that NuGen has agreed to act as a sponsor for the Arkwright Engineering Scholarship Programme. The Nuclear Institute will mentor the scholars on behalf of sponsoring employers and will arrange various events throughout the two-year programme – including a Nuclear Engineering Summer School – to ensure the scholars fully appreciate the opportunities our industry has to offer. We will also track the progress of the scholars through higher education and our measure of success will be when these exceptional young people go on to take up jobs in advanced engineering in the nuclear sector or, even better, within the sponsoring company.”
The Nuclear Institute – the professional membership body of the UK’s nuclear industry – has helped to arrange funding for more than 30 Arkwright scholar's in 2014 and 2015 including the five kindly supported by Nugen.