Sixteen Sellafield Ltd degree apprentices have entered an annual competition for newcomers to project management.
The Association for Project Management (APM) Challenge sees teams asked to propose and deliver a social impact project from concept to completion, using APM competencies and project management best practices, supported by an experienced mentor who will help nurture their progress.
The competition is backed by regional networks and culminates in an awards ceremony where the highest-scoring teams present their projects and winners are announced.
One Sellafield team has focused their project on helping Animal Concern Cumbria, a charity which supports neglected and unwanted animals, striving to rehome them whenever possible.
The team met with the charity to discuss priority renovations and plans to improve the indoor area and visitors’ room for potential adopters.
They’ve already collected furniture donations and are considering holding a fundraising event to raise additional funds.
Team members Alana Quinn and Rachael Robbins said: “The selection of Animal Concern Cumbria was driven by the fact it’s a local charity, rehoming rescue animals that solely rely on donations.
“The charity offers a secure and caring environment for animals whose owners, for whatever reason, are unable to care for them any longer and help them find permanent, loving homes.
“Our aim though the APM challenge is to raise money to improve key facilities. We are enhancing the well-being of the animals in the charity’s care whilst also contributing to the long-term development and sustainability of the local area and the charity’s future.”
The second group has opted to support North Lakes Foodbank’s Holiday Lunch Pack Scheme, providing essential food to children during holiday periods.
The charity plays a crucial role in helping the most vulnerable individuals in Allerdale and Copeland, and they are now grappling with an overwhelming 100% increase in demand year on year.
The team is conducting a food collection campaign across the Sellafield Site, including contributions from supply chain partners.
They have already received support from various departments across Sellafield, as well as from their sponsor and mentor, and have made substantial progress with their collection so far.
Team member Luke Beresford said: “Our team visited the foodbank at the beginning of the year to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges the charity faces and figure out how we could help alleviate those burdens.
“The Sellafield apprenticeship scheme has provided us with invaluable hands-on experience in demanding environments. Through networking and collaboration on complex nuclear projects, we’ve gained diverse insights across project management, construction, and more. This blend of practical and academic learning has significantly advanced our careers.
“By completing a project proposal and carrying out this fundraising initiative, we hope to further enhance our skills and knowledge in project management while also benefiting our community.”
The third group from Sellafield is focused on improving road safety awareness among primary school students and reducing road accidents in West Cumbria.
The team is doing this by organising a drawing competition where students develop road safety signs and slogans. The winners’ proposals will be turned into real signs displayed locally and around school zones.
Before the competition, the team will conduct workshops and arrange guest expert speakers to host assemblies, raising students’ awareness of road safety.
This initiative fosters creativity, encourages safer behaviour on local roads, and strengthens the community’s sense of shared responsibility for safety.
Team member Kate Starkie said: “We focused our project on road safety after learning that 3,400 children under seven were injured or killed on UK roads in 2022. This statistic drove us to reduce children’s confusion about road safety and encourage good habits for their future.
“The project is progressing well. We’ve engaged with a local primary school’s headteacher and received valuable advice from our mentor at Sellafield.
“This is an excellent opportunity to enhance our project management skills and make a meaningful impact on local communities.”
