NWS specializes in the management, treatment, and disposal of radioactive waste as part of the United Kingdom’s Nuclear Decommissioning Authority. It hosted the week of youth activities as part of the Dream Placement program, which is run by the nonprofit Centre for Leadership Performance.
Dream Placement: The center, which was established in 2011 in Cockermouth, Cumbria, works in partnership with local businesses and schools in the area to promote the development of leadership skills in young people and to facilitate dialogue and relationships between youth and businesses.
The center’s award-winning Dream Placement program is a six-month leadership development initiative designed for 16-to-18-year-olds. Each year, some of the participants are selected for a weeklong “dream” placement in a local industry. This experience allows participants to gain exposure to “leadership in action” and provides firsthand opportunities to learn about potential careers.
Stats: According to the company’s latest Impact Report, between April 2023 and March 2024 the Centre for Leadership Performance partnered with 185 businesses and 26 secondary schools and colleges, engaged with 134 primary schools, coordinated 420 volunteers, supported 213 aspiring and existing managers, and worked with a total of 12,965 young people.
Assignment at NWS: During their week at NWS, the five teens were assigned the task of creating a lesson and activity for 11- and 12-year-olds about energy, waste, and the environment. They had to link this topic to NWS functions and the U.K. national curriculum, and the project outcomes had to be usable by NWS as an educational resource.
Wonderful opportunity: Tracy Badham, NWS’s social responsibility manager, commented on the Dream Placement program, calling it “a wonderful opportunity for NWS colleagues to showcase our work to the younger generation and gives the students a chance to experience a wide range of departments across our business.”
She said, “Our aim is that we learn as much from the students during their week with us as they do from us. Not only does it enhance our volunteers who take part, but it enables us to engage with young people in West Cumbria and introduce them to NWS and broaden their horizons.”
Badham said that one of the students’ takeaways is that while NWS is part of the nuclear sector, not everyone is a scientist, and there are many job opportunities in other areas.
More stats: The Centre for Leadership Performance reports that 20 percent of the students who have attended previous Dream Placement events at NWS have later obtained apprenticeships at that company. This year, three of the five participants secured summer work positions with NWS.
During 2025 to date throughout the entire Dream Placement program, 230 young people have applied for participation, 120 have been shortlisted, and 30 different companies have hosted participants.
