Youngsters from a West Cumbrian college have been awarded two-year scholarships by a major firm.
Nine students who attend the Energy Coast UTC at Lillyhall, near Workington, have been awarded the scholarships by Altrad, as part of the form’s commitment to social impact and helping local communities while working with the Programme and Project Partners at the Sellafield site.
The sixth form students are Eden Doran, Samir Salame, Tyler Elliott, Corey Graham, Lily Cameron, Isabelle Pears, Samuel Ahad, Leegan Colquhoun and Finley Barwise and the programme will help with their living, study, IT and travel costs, encouraging them to remain in education.
Each student has been allocated a mentor from Altrad to support them in their aspirations and will also be offered two weeks of work experience.
Another student, Izhaar Faheem, is also set to receive coaching from an Altrad mentor.
Eden said: “This scholarship means so much to me because I will gain valuable knowledge and experience while working with a world class company that I know values its people.
“I am most excited about learning all aspects of the projects Altrad are involved with. I am passionate about inclusivity and diversity which I know are Altrad’s values. As not only a woman in engineering, but a deaf woman in engineering, I want to be a voice for others like me and show them they can do it too.”
Samir added: “Coming from Syria and starting a new life here has shaped me in ways that continue to guide everything I do.
“My journey has been filled with challenges, changes, and moments where I had to push myself far beyond my comfort zone. Being awarded the Altrad Scholarship means much more to me than support; it feels like recognition of my journey and the effort I’ve put in to reach this point.
“I’m especially inspired by the story of Altrad’s owner, someone who also came from difficult beginnings and built something remarkable from perseverance and belief in his potential.
“His journey shows me what is possible, and it motivates me to follow a path where I can achieve my own goals while lifting others up along the way.”
Cherry Tingle, CEO of Energy Coast UTC, said: “We are incredibly proud of our students and their achievements.
“The Altrad scholarships provide not only financial support but also invaluable mentorship and work experience, opening doors to exciting opportunities in STEM.
“This partnership reflects our commitment to nurturing talent, promoting inclusivity, and ensuring every student can thrive.
“Supporting our students in this way is at the very heart of our ethos as a UTC, and we would like to extend a huge thank you to Altrad for their support in helping our students reach their full potential.”
Paul Raper, Altrad – director for nuclear decommissioning, added: “Providing scholarships and support via our mentors will help these students excel further during their studies.
“We are keen to grow and promote diversity in our workplace by opening our doors to such a wide range of talent. We wish all the students well in their forthcoming journey with UTC and Altrad.”
