These Awards seek to acknowledge and celebrate learners’ exceptional contributions to their workplace. In the Apprenticeship category there will be 5 Regional Apprentice Awards covering the following areas, Northwest/Northeast, Southeast/East, Southwest, Scotland and Wales.  The UK Nuclear Apprentice of the Year will come from the Regional winners. The HND student of the Year is a specific award for Scotland.   Applications are welcome for both of these awards from Nuclear Employers on behalf of students who have completed or will complete their framework in 2009.

Nuclear related Foundation Degrees are relatively new qualifications for the Nuclear industry, and are highlighted as an excellent entry route into the sector.  Foundation Degrees are degree level qualifications specifically designed with employers and combine academic study with workplace learning and equip people with the relevant knowledge, understanding and skills to improve performance and productivity.  Applications for this award are welcome from employers with Foundation Degree students who are completing, or have completed at least the first two years of their qualification.

In all categories the Skills Academy are looking for individuals who have gone beyond everyone’s expectations, or have demonstrated huge improvement throughout their studies. 

Award application forms and further information on the awards are available for download from the National Skills Academy for Nuclear’s website www.nuclear.nsacademy.co.uk.  All forms are to be received by the Skills Academy no later than 5pm on the 23rd October 2009, (30th October for the Scottish HND Award.)

Jean Llewellyn, Chief Executive of the National Skills Academy for Nuclear;

“Last years awards demonstrated the exceptional quality of vocational learners who are committed to careers in the Nuclear sector.   Apprenticeships and Foundation Degrees/HNDs are key avenues for replenishing and building skills for the nuclear sector.  It is extremely important to highlight the real and tangible contributions which these students make to their organisations on a daily basis.”

Katie Maxwell, UK Nuclear Apprentice of the Year 2008, works for NNL,

“I couldn’t believe it when I heard I had won the National Award. I knew there was strong competition.  I thoroughly enjoy the work I’m conducting and it’s a great time to be involved in research work at the NNL.”

Katie Maxwell joined the National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) in September 2006 as a GEN II apprentice.  She became a permanent employee in January 2008. In her initial role with the NNL, Katie worked with the Vitrification Test Rig team.  She carried out aqueous sampling, acidity and density testing and work on particle distribution. 

The judging panel commented that Katie, 19, demonstrated the drive and enthusiasm to be an inspiration to both existing and new Apprentices, and demonstrated that she is a truly exceptional individual, and a deserving winner of the very first UK Nuclear Apprentice of the Year Award.

Award Winners 2008

• Philip Dixon, employed by Sellafield won the Most Promising Foundation Degree Student of the Year. 
• Michael Miller, employed by DSRL, Foundation Degree/HND Student of the Year 
• Katie Maxwell, employed by the National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) won Nuclear Apprentice of the Year for the Northwest/Northeast region.
• Gary Jones, employed by the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE), won the Nuclear Apprentice of the Year Southeast/East region. 
• Stephen Saunders, employed by Doosan Babcock, won Nuclear Apprentice of the Year Southwest
• Mathew Mackay, employed by Rolls Royce won Nuclear Apprentice of the Year for Scotland
• Liam Fallows, employed by Magnox North won Nuclear Apprentice of the Year for Wales.