A multi-million pound college to train the next generation of nuclear workers in West Cumbria could be given the go-ahead in the next few weeks. 

Plans for the National College for Nuclear, due to be based at Lillyhall, have been submitted to Government. 

It is hoped an official decision on the project is due next month. 

Leading the bid is a partnership including Sellafield, EDF Energy, Lakes College and the University of Cumbria. 

The project is part of a government bid to train young people for careers in the industry. 

Ken McEwan, head of training at Sellafield, said the college will use existing higher education facilities to train students to meet the future needs of the region. 

Due to be based at Lillyhall, the college is on track to be launched in the next couple of years. 

Paul Howarth, chairman of the Centre of Nuclear Excellence, which is supporting the project, said: “We are keen for increased investment in skills development in Cumbria. 

“These are exciting times for the nuclear sector, especially in this region, and it’s important we have the educational infrastructure to support the resurgence. 

“The National College for Nuclear is a vital piece of that new infrastructure.” 

The official go-ahead will see a distribution of capital funding of around £80 million from the government. 

It will be spread between the West Cumbrian project and six other national colleges around the UK. 

It will also be matched by investment from employers. 

The national centres will specialise in manufacturing, digital skills, wind energy, rail and onshore oil and gas. 

The Workington college will focus on decommissioning and the wider nuclear industry. 

It will have a special reactor simulator and engineering facilities.