A former Sellafield apprentice has been hand-picked to front a national advertising campaign for apprenticeships.

Deanna Pearson, 22, of Cockermouth, was chosen from more than 200 other apprentices to take part in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills’ Get In, Go Far campaign.

This aims to show that vocational training can be an exciting alternative to further education.

From billboards up and down the country, to a national TV advert, Miss Pearson, now a full-time health physic monitor at Sellafield Ltd, is playing a leading role alongside eight trainees from other major apprentice employers such as JCB and Premier Inn.

The campaign, launched this week, aims to tell the story of young people in training, showcasing the experience they have entering the world of work. 

Miss Pearson said: “I was shocked when I was first asked to take part.

“I never expected to be chosen as the face of a government campaign, but I’m really pleased that I’ve been given this opportunity to represent the high calibre of young people we have in Cumbria and at Sellafield."

A film crew spent time with her at home and at work, following the story of how she juggled her apprenticeship with being a young mum.

She added: “The usual route into a career after school is university. "A lot of my teachers at Cockermouth School were pushing me to do this but I knew it wasn’t feasible for me as I’ve got a little girl.

“I needed to earn money to support my daughter, but I didn’t want to stop learning and getting qualifications so it made sense for me to follow the apprenticeship route.

“There are many different career routes that young people can choose now, it can be quite overwhelming.

“This campaign – which is giving thousands of young people role models who they can relate to and look up to – will help more young people understand and consider an apprenticeship.” 

Skills Minister Nick Boles believes the campaign will show young people, and their parents, what can be achieved through apprenticeships. 

He said: “Our campaign stars, like Deanna, and the millions more young people who have already benefited, are shining examples of how an apprenticeship can take you into any industry, any job and up to any level, including a degree.

“Apprenticeships are now designed by top employers who are best placed to know the skills and experience young people need to get a job and get on. 

Sellafield Ltd offers 21 apprentice training schemes, delivering qualifications from level 2 through to level 6 degree apprenticeships.

It will welcome 165 apprentices this year, taking the total number of young people in training at the nuclear site to a landmark figure of 550.

For more about Get in Go Far, go to www.getingofar.gov.uk or use the hashtag #GetInGoFar to join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.