Jacobs Engineering Group Inc has opened a new office in Cumbria. The facility at Pillar House is developing as a centre of excellence for nuclear decommissioning capability, and will support Jacobs’ growth in Cumbria and the nuclear sector.

With some 2000 people working in the UK, Jacobs is a major service provider in the nuclear industry. Its role ranges from work on the existing nuclear fleet, the UK new-build programme, through to decommissioning and cleanup. The company has taken on more than 300 new employees over the last two years, mainly in Cumbria.

Jacobs Group vice president Conor Doyle said: "Pillar House is the latest step in the process to put Cumbria at the heart of our global nuclear business. Our new office will be home to many of the apprentices and graduates who are the future of our operations."

Projects such as Sellafield Ltd’s Box Encapsulation Plant, the First Generation Magnox Storage Pond (FGMSP) Retrievals projects, and the Design Services Alliance provide excellent opportunities for these young professionals to develop their skills, Jacobs added.

Jacobs’ relationship with Sellafield extends back for more than 40 years.