A MAJOR Cumbrian employer has been found to be one of the most important drivers of jobs, skills and business growth in the UK.

Sellafield supports 58,643 jobs, including those directly employed and people employed in the supply chain.

The figure was revealed in the Sellafield Jobs Map, launched this week at an event hosted by the Nuclear Industry Association (NIA).

Originally the birthplace of the nuclear industry, Sellafield is now dedicated to decommissioning and waste management.

This internationally-important work supports 10,843 jobs at operator Sellafield Ltd, 80 per cent of whom live in Cumbria.

A further 5,000 are on the books of its immediate suppliers. And a total 42,800 are employed in the wider supply chain.

Sellafield Ltd plays a crucial role in the development of critical skills for the UK with a total of 1,213 people in training with the company.

That includes 973 apprentices, 199 graduates, and 41 industrial placements. The company runs 16 apprenticeship schemes alone: seven for GCSE apprentices and nine for degree apprentices.

A programme of schools and community outreach ensures hundreds of young people are recruited from local communities every year.

There are a wide range of additional career pathways available with the company actively recruiting for key roles including IT system architects, cyber security analysts, engineers and design engineers, and project managers.

Sellafield Ltd’s contribution to jobs, skills, and growth is 'underpinned by a social impact strategy' – Social Impact Multiplied - which sees the business invest approximately £10m a year in its local communities to achieve long-term, sustainable socioeconomic outcomes.

READ MORE: 300 young people to start their careers at Sellafield Ltd.

The Sellafield Jobs Map was launched via a special webinar hosted by NIA chief executive Tom Greatrex.

Guest speakers included Jo Lappin, chief executive of Cumbria’s Local Enterprise Partnership; Anand Puthran, CEO of Cumbria-based SME McMenon Engineering; and Charlotte Chan, a Sellafield Ltd apprentice.

Gaenor Prest, Sellafield Ltd’s chief people officer, said: “We’re immensely proud of the contribution we make to jobs, skills, and business growth.

“The Sellafield Jobs Map clearly demonstrates the value we create for our communities, our industry, and for the north west and UK economies.

READ MORE: Sellafield set for £32 million network boost and £2 million in community funding for west Cumbria

“Sellafield is a great place to work. The diversity of jobs our work supports is incredible. You can have a challenging and rewarding career across a huge range of disciplines and our people are recognised around the world for their expertise.”