100th member signs up
Last updated 17:35, Thursday, 27 March 2008
THE West Cumbria Business Cluster celebrated its 100th member and warmly welcomed The Nuclear Academy at an event held at Lakes College recently.
The first century milestone was marked at the WCBC’s monthly meeting where chief executive of The Nuclear Academy, Andrew King, accepted a membership certificate on behalf of the company.
The Nuclear Academy will be a centre of excellence and innovation recognised as a world class centre providing vocational skills, training, education and business support services.
Its range will span through further and higher education for the nuclear, renewable energy and environmental restoration industries.
Mr King said: “The Nuclear Academy is very proud to be the 100th member of what is an important network for West Cumbrian businesses.
“Not only are we a new business in the area but will also provide business support services and skills and training packages.
“This will be designed to meet the needs of local businesses in the nuclear supply chain but also in a wider energy and environmental context.
“The West Cumbria Business Cluster can play an important part in helping us understand the needs of its members and the development of our services.”
The WCBC aims to expand the services it currently offers over the next year with the help of its growing membership and private and public sector support.
Building links with organisations like the Nuclear Academy will help member companies grow and prosper in West Cumbria.
WCBC Chairman, Tony Lawrence of Amec, explained: “We are delighted to reach a level of 100 members and welcome The Nuclear Academy.
“This partnership will provide a long term link between the growth of business in the nuclear sector and the training and development of the resources required, now and into the future.
“There are really exciting opportunities arising for the Cluster and its members in the forthcoming year.
“With increased support from our growing membership and assistance from local organisations we plan to be proactive in helping to develop a competitive advantage for West Cumbrian-based businesses.”
Andrew King and his colleagues also led an interactive workshop at the meeting with more than 60 Cluster members on The Nuclear Academy Supply Chain Skills Demand Study.
“As part of understanding the needs of local businesses The Nuclear Academy is undertaking a three-phase Demand Study,” Mr King went on.
“Phase One is complete and involved face-to-face meetings with the major nuclear contractors in the area. Phase Two involves a small number of workshop sessions with particular industry groupings.
“Today’s meeting with the West Cumbria Business Cluster forms one of these workshops.”
The final phase will be a detailed business and employer survey that will build on the feedback from phases one and two.
