A WEST Cumbrian training organisation is celebrating after scooping an award that recognises excellence in workplace learning programmes for the second time.

Lillyhall-based nucleargraduates is one of only 43 recipients from a range of sectors nationally to be given the honour of the Princess Royal Training Award standard in 2020. The programme, based at Energus, also received royal recognition in 2017.

Adrienne Easterbrook, general manager said: “nucleargraduates is a fundamental part of Energus. Growing talent is in everything we do as a business. Our unique work and collaborative approach with stakeholders and the graduates themselves sets us aside from other organisations.

“The success of nucleargraduates has given us the motivation to start other similar programmes, ensuring consistency across all areas.”

Kirstie Donnelly MBE, chief executive of City & Guilds Group, told the organisation: “You truly are an exemplar of the best of employee learning and development.”

The programme has to meet three Hallmarks of Excellence criteria in order to receive the recognition.

This is the fifth year that the training awards have been running, and are awarded by HRH The Princess Royal, who is president of the City & Guilds Group.

The firm nucleargraduates was established by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority in 2008 and brings together organisations across the industry to attract the next generation of graduates.

It is now run by Energus, has 11 sponsors who recruit to the programme and works with more than 80 secondment hosts, nationally and internationally.

Students are offered a two-year development programme where they are able to get their careers in the nuclear industry off to a flying start.

It provides graduates with technical and behavioural skills and gives employers the chance to addresses any skills gaps in the sector.