An initiative to help unemployed West Cumbrians into work has found jobs for 62 people in its first year.

West Cumbria Works was set up by Sellafield Ltd in July last year, to help unemployed and underemployed people in Copeland and Allerdale acquire the skills, behaviours and experience required to find work.

In addition to the 62 who have found jobs, it is supporting another 217 looking to improve their employability skills.

They receive one-to-one mentoring and support.

Cathie Hunter, 48, is among those to have benefited.

After being made redundant as an agency worker in the nuclear industry at the start of the year, Mrs Hunter, from Egremont, found herself unemployed and sought the help of West Cumbria Works.

Two months later she secured a job with NuGen, the company behind the new nuclear power station, Moorside.

She said: “West Cumbria Works took the time to really help me think about the options and choices available.

At the time when I approached them I couldn’t see those opportunities in front of me.

"I was struggling to identify my key skills and my confidence was lacking in my interview technique. It had been a considerable amount of time since I’d had a formal interview."

She added: “It felt great walking into my interview with the enormous amount of confidence I’d gained through West Cumbria Works.

"I am extremely grateful to the service for helping me get my job with NuGen, which I am finding to be an inspiring and stimulating role.”

Helen Fisher, head of socio-economics at Sellafield Ltd, said: “It’s fantastic to see that the service is helping to break down barriers to employment for a growing number of local people.

“It’s pleasing to see so many local businesses – no matter their size - supporting the service and giving West Cumbrians a chance to change their lives for the better.

“I hope to see the service continue to grow and support West Cumbrian people improve their employment prospects and a talent pool of individuals to help companies in and around West Cumbria thrive.”