We take our Corporate Responsibilities seriously and take part in a range of activities in support of this.
Use the link on the right to download our previous contributions to the BNFL Group Corporate Responsibility Report.
Key Highlights
Supporting skills
Since the creation of the National Nuclear Laboratory we have been tasked with protecting nuclear skills and the national nuclear technology capability. This will also continue with our focus on education by investing in science learning and training.
Smallpeice Trust
NNL continues to work with the Smallpeice Trust an independent charity providing programmes to promote engineering careers to young people. In 2008 students from around the country, with a high proportion from the communities around NNL sites, took part in the third 4 day residential course at Manchester University. Students took part in engineering and scientific challenges applicable to the nuclear and radiological environment including associated safety issues. The most recent course took place at UCLAN 6th - 9th April 09.
UK Youth
UK Youth develops and promotes innovative non-formal education programmes for and with young people. The charity helps young people develop their potential. The UK Youth network supports the young people through 7,000 youth groups. It works closely with a string of Local Authorities to support clubs and projects and more than 40,000 volunteer and part-time youth workers throughout the UK.
The first fund raising initiative with UK Youth was the ‘Everest in a Day’. A challenge was set for teams to climb the equivalent of Mount Everest at various climbing walls around the north-west. The event raised £16,000 and NNL has match-funded this, doubling the total to £32,000.
Engineering Education Scheme
Work also continues in support of the Engineering Education Scheme, part of the Royal Academy of Engineering's Best programme, which aims to provide young people with an insight into the world of engineering. This links teams of four year 12 students and their teachers with local companies to work on real scientific, engineering and technical problems. Two schemes have been established in 2008. The first scheme continues to build on relationships with Cockermouth School, Cumbria and the second scheme sees us working with The Grange School in Wigan for the third year. Both schemes have started well and are helping the two NNL employees working towards their professional accreditation.
Go4SET
NNL has become involved in Go4SET - a new Engineering Development Trust initiative. This links teams of six year 9 students with companies and universities to an 8 week Science, Engineering and Technology Experience. The aim is to provide a real live SET project, to raise the pupil's awareness and highlight future career opportunities in SET. The launch took place in May 2008 with the NNL working with Great Sankey High School in Warrington on a project based on the theme of water. Students were tasked with looking at water usage at their school and to investigate novel methods for the collection, storage and use of water for everyday purposes. The next project is due to be launched in April 2009 with the NNL working with Lancaster Girls Grammar School.
