A "game-changer" in national education has been officially opened.

The £7.5 million National College for Nuclear was launched today by Dame Sue Ion, an expert advisor on the nuclear industry.

The college, at Lillyhall, near Workington, is the northern hub of the new national college, which also has a southern base in Somerset.

It is aiming to engage over 7,000 learners across both facilities by 2020.

The flagship college is at the forefront of learning in the 21st century and is designed to “deliver the workforce of tomorrow”.

National colleges bridge the gap between further education colleges and university, getting its students ready for the workplace.

Chris Nattress, principal of the nearby Lakes College and director of the national college, told VIPs attending the launch: "The national college is a game-changer.

"It's an exciting development for the national nuclear industry now and for the future."

Colin Reed, college chairman, said: "This is the culmination of years of work. We are not a sunset industry, we are a sunrise industry.

"If all the planned new nuclear builds go ahead, this college will be producing the people with the skills to help them do that.

"This college's delivery has been by partnership, with industry and with other educational establishments, most recently the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board, which has joined us to deliver part of the curriculum."

Partners in the northern college are Sellafield Ltd, the University of Cumbria and Lakes College West Cumbria.

Combining theoretical work with hands-on experience, the curriculum has been designed for the nuclear industry and its supply chain and they have had input into it.

The college includes virtual reality rooms, where students can experience working in a nuclear environment without risk, an engineering workshop equipped with the latest in technology, laboratories and simulated ‘restricted’ areas aim to give a comprehensive view of the work involved at a nuclear plant.

The virtual reality suites are the first of their kind in West Cumbria.

Martine Symes, 18, of Seaton, is one of the first intake into the college. She said: "The course is really good and it follows on from our foundation work. I really like it here."

Student William Watson, 19, of Low Moresby, near Whitehaven, said: "This building is incredible and is unique and the course is unique. I am learning so much and its fantastic to do it in this building."

Partners in the northern college are Sellafield Ltd, the University of Cumbria and Lakes College West Cumbria.

Dame Sue said: "I have spent 30 years working in the nuclear industry and I know what a fantastic sector it is to work in and the breadth of jobs available is wide.

"This college is a vibrant place to learn about the industry and it is my honour to open it."