Whitehaven’s £4.6m LEVELS shortlisted for national education technology award

Less than a year after opening its doors, LEVELS has been recognised nationally, earning a place on the shortlist for one of the UK’s leading education technology awards.

The £4.6 million immersive digital learning and entertainment centre on Duke Street in Whitehaven has been named a finalist for Company of the Year (not-for-profit) at the Bett Awards 2027.

LEVELS was developed to create new opportunities for young people in West Cumbria and ensure access to digital technology, immersive learning, gaming, esports and emerging skills is not limited to those living in major cities.

Since opening in January, the centre has already welcomed more than 3,200 young people from 30 schools, colleges and local authority home learning groups, delivering more than 150 learning sessions.

Across four floors, LEVELS brings together immersive digital experiences, gaming and esports, education, skills development, and opportunities for young people to explore new technologies and potential career pathways.

Developed by BEC, the project was brought forward with funding from Sellafield Ltd through its Social Impact Multiplied (SiX) programme, alongside investment from BT and BEC.

Michael Pemberton, Chief Executive of BEC, said: “When we developed LEVELS, the ambition was to create something bold for Whitehaven which could open new opportunities and change what young people in West Cumbria believe is possible.

“To see the project recognised nationally within its first year is a fantastic achievement for the LEVELS team and a proud moment for BEC and all our partners. More importantly, thousands of young people are already using the centre, learning new skills and being exposed to technologies and career opportunities they may not otherwise have encountered.

“LEVELS is a great example of what targeted investment in our towns and communities can deliver.”

LEVELS is now rolling out new skills programmes and working with local and national industry partners on work experience, placements and alternative routes into employment, helping connect young people with future opportunities in digital and technology-led sectors.

Ian Irving, Chief Executive at LEVELS Whitehaven, said: “This is monumental for LEVELS and for Whitehaven. Today we’re on an international shortlist alongside some of the biggest names in education technology.

“That’s down to our incredible team and the young people who have made LEVELS their own.

“As a community interest company, everything we do comes back to create more opportunities for young people in West Cumbria. This shortlisting shows that world-class digital learning doesn’t stop at the edge of a big city – it’s happening right here in West Cumbria.

“It’s incredible to think that it’s less than a year since we opened our doors and we’ve already made a huge impact for so many young people. We’ve got some incredibly exciting and innovative skills development programmes in the pipeline which we have started rolling out and we’re collaborating with local and national industry partners on work experience programmes, placements, alternative routes to employment and vocational skills training.”

LEVELS also forms part of a much wider story for BEC in Whitehaven. Alongside projects such as The Bus Station, Revive and our recently announced hotel development, our focus remains on creating places which support jobs, skills, enterprise and long-term economic opportunity, while giving people more reasons to live, work and build their future in West Cumbria.

The winners of the Bett Awards 2027 will be announced at a ceremony in London on 20 January 2027.