Business Improvements work experience

Question. Improve. Make a Difference.

Discover how ideas, evidence and problem-solving can help make the way we work safer, simpler and more effective.

Our Business Improvement Work Experience programme gives you an opportunity to explore how teams at Sellafield identify opportunities for improvement and turn ideas into positive change.

Throughout the week, you’ll discover how work can be reviewed and improved, learn about Lean Principles and Continuous Improvement, and take part in practical activities that help you see how seemingly small changes can make a difference.

You’ll also meet people involved in improvement and develop transferable skills including creativity, problem-solving, teamwork, planning, leadership and communication.

This programme is based out of our office Albion Square, Whitehaven and is Suitable for learners in Year 10-13.

  • Business Improvement is about challenging how things are done and finding smarter, better ways of working.

    At Sellafield, improvement can help teams make processes more efficient, solve problems, improve safety and performance, and continuously learn and improve.

    During your work experience, you’ll have opportunities to understand how improvement happens and why it matters.

    You’ll explore how teams:

    • Identify problems and opportunities for improvement
    • Understand how a process currently works
    • Use information and evidence to support decisions
    • Develop ideas and solutions
    • Make work safer and more efficient
    • Track whether improvements are making a difference

    Put simply, Business Improvement is about making good work even better.

  • Discover Continuous Improvement: Learn why Lean Principles and Continuous Improvement are important and explore the five Lean Principles through real scenarios.

    Explore how work can be improved: See how teams review the way work is currently carried out, identify opportunities and consider changes that could improve safety, quality or efficiency.

    Put problem-solving into practice: Take part in practical improvement activities where you’ll have opportunities to think creatively, explore problems and consider possible solutions. The current programme includes activities at Sellafield and during a visit to a local Whitehaven business.

    Use information to support improvement: Explore how information, data and evidence can help teams understand a problem, make decisions and track improvement.

    Meet improvement professionals: Gain insight into how apprentices and practitioners work on improvement projects and learn more about the skills they use.

  • Business Improvement develops highly transferable skills that can be useful across a wide range of careers.

    During your week, you’ll have opportunities to develop:

    • Problem-solving and critical thinking
    • Creativity, thinking differently about challenges
    • Communication, explaining ideas and listening to others
    • Teamwork, developing solutions with other people
    • Planning and organisation
    • Attention to detail
    • Data awareness, using information and evidence
    • Leadership, contributing ideas and helping move activities forward
    • Confidence, particularly in suggesting ideas and improvements

    Most importantly, you’ll discover how having the confidence to ask “Could we do this differently?” can be the starting point for making a positive change.

    This programme is based out of our office in Albion Square, Whitehaven.

  • The problem-solving, analytical and collaborative skills you’ll experience through Business Improvement can introduce you to different areas of work, including:

    • Business Improvement and Continuous Improvement
    • Project Support
    • Operations
    • Business and organisational roles
    • Roles involving data and analysis

  • This programme could be right for you if you:

    • Enjoy solving problems
    • Often spot ways something could be done differently
    • Like understanding how things work
    • Are curious and enjoy asking questions
    • Enjoy working with other people and sharing ideas
    • Like using information to reach decisions
    • Want to develop your creativity and problem-solving skills
    • Are interested in how organisations improve and change

    You don’t need to have your future career figured out. Work experience is your opportunity to explore, ask questions, develop new skills and discover where your interests could take you.

Ready to explore Business Improvement?

If you enjoy solving problems, exploring ideas and looking for ways to make things better, Business Improvement could be the experience for you. Suitable for learners in Year 10-13.

Link to apply will appear here when applications open.

Where could it take you?

There isn’t just one route into a career involving improvement. The skills you’ll develop can be useful across business, project, operational and analytical careers.

Explore Sellafield’s early careers opportunities below to discover the different pathways available and find the one that matches your interests.

Business Administration
Project Management
Nuclear Operator
Health Physics Monitor
Quality