Lakes College Sets Out Five Year Plan Focused On Clean Energy And Nuclear Skills
Lakes College has unveiled a five year strategy focused on developing technical education and building the skilled workforce needed for West Cumbria's growing clean energy and nuclear industries.
The college, based at Lillyhall near Workington, has published its Strategic Plan 2026 to 2031, setting out its ambitions for students, employers and the wider regional economy. The plan identifies five key priorities covering education outcomes, technical excellence, employer skills, culture and sustainability.
A central aim of the strategy is to improve the number of students progressing into employment, apprenticeships and higher education by 2031. The college also plans to expand higher level technical pathways so that learners have access to training aligned with the changing requirements of local industries.
Specialist facilities are also expected to play an important role in delivering the strategy. Lakes College plans to continue investing in facilities and learning environments that can provide students with practical experience and the technical knowledge required for careers in advanced industries.
The strategy places particular emphasis on sectors including nuclear, engineering, construction and advanced manufacturing. These industries are expected to provide significant employment opportunities in West Cumbria, creating demand for workers with specialist technical skills and relevant industry experience.
Lakes College also intends to work closely with its network of around 700 employer partners as part of the plan. Collaboration with businesses is intended to help identify skills shortages and ensure that education and training remain closely connected to the needs of employers across the region.
Schools, universities and public sector organisations will also form part of the college's wider partnership approach. By strengthening links between education providers, employers and public bodies, the college aims to create clearer routes for people to move from education and training into skilled employment.
The clean energy sector is a particularly important part of the college's long term outlook. West Cumbria is expected to experience significant economic activity linked to clean energy and nuclear development, creating opportunities for local people while increasing the need for suitably trained workers.
Mark Fell, principal and chief executive of Lakes College, said the strategy represented a clear ambition for the institution and recognised the scale of the economic opportunities facing West Cumbria. He said the growth of clean energy, nuclear and other key industries could create major opportunities for the region.
Fell also stressed that the college's ambitions extend beyond simply responding to workforce requirements. He said the institution wanted to transform lives by giving people the skills, knowledge and confidence needed to take advantage of the opportunities emerging across West Cumbria.
The strategy is therefore intended to combine economic priorities with the broader educational and personal development of students. Improving progression into employment, apprenticeships and higher education is positioned alongside ambitions to strengthen technical excellence and create a positive culture within the college.
Sustainability is another of the five priorities identified within the new plan. Its inclusion reflects the importance of preparing learners for an economy increasingly shaped by clean energy and environmental considerations, while ensuring the college itself continues to consider sustainability in its future development.
The college's existing relationship with employers is expected to be central to delivering the strategy over the next five years. Working directly with businesses should allow training provision to respond more effectively to changes in industry and help address shortages in occupations where employers require specialist technical skills.
The plan comes as West Cumbria continues to position itself around major opportunities in nuclear and clean energy. Lakes College aims to play a significant role in preparing local people to participate in that economic growth, while expanding technical education and strengthening progression routes for students across the region.
Got a news story or tip to share? Contact our editorial team by emailing news@lakelandpost.co.uk or call us directly on 0333 090 2080.