HINKLEY Point C is creating 30,000 training places between now and the power station’s completion.

Trainees can upgrade their skills and earning potential by joining the work fitting miles of pipes, cables, equipment and control systems.

The opportunities are funded by Hinkley Point C’s £24 million investment into education, skills and employment, including at three new centres for excellence in welding, electrical and mechanical skills.

Courses will be available in skills such as electrical work, welding, steelwork and pipe installation.

The training centres will become part of Hinkley Point C’s legacy, available for local and national businesses to enrol their employees.

It comes as Hinkley C’s 2023 Socio-Economic Impact Report shows:

  • Spending in South-West tops £5.3billion with 1,300 companies;
  • Investment in local infrastructure and community support reaches £139million;
  • Grants for local projects hits £14.5million;
  • 1,130 apprentices have been trained so far.

The project has also expanded its T-level scheme for those at the beginning of their careers and is offering a supported traineeship programme for those with learning difficulties.

Hinkley C’s managing director, Stuart Crooks said: “Nuclear power is not just essential for the country, it also delivers significant benefits for the communities and region that host it.

"We have worked hard with local colleges and businesses to make sure Hinkley Point C increases prosperity and productivity in Somerset and the South West – giving as many people as possible the chance to increase their skills and earning potential.”

Energy Security Secretary Grant Shapps said: “The work at Hinkley Point C reminds us that nuclear not only boosts our energy security and independence, but also helps deliver greater economic growth here in Somerset and to the UK as a whole."

Andy Berry, principal and chief executive of Bridgwater and Taunton College, said: “We are proud of the ongoing partnership with Hinkley Point C, and we continue to collaborate with them to help provide the skills required for the project and the local area.

"Working together, we have played a key role in establishing three centres of excellence, which are critical assets for ensuring the future of new nuclear in the UK.”

Emma Rawlings, chief executive of Somerset Chamber of Commerce, said: “We are proud to be playing ourt part, working in partnership with Hinkley Point C to give local people and regional businesses the best opportunity to win contracts and benefit from the legacy of the project.

"Once Hinkley Point C is completed, businesses in the South West will be more than ready to meet the demands of the future net zero economy."

Paula Hewitt, deputy chief executive at Somerset Council, said: “Hinkley Point C is supporting our vision for Somerset to be the centre of the globally significant clean growth region in the South West of England.

"Clean growth means recognising our climate emergency and addressing this through clean energy generation, clean transport, decarbonisation of industry, and attracting business opportunities which help to reduce carbon emissions, which benefit from our established expertise, innovation, and infrastructure.”

CASE STUDIES.

Nicola Giles, 33, Bridgwater. Since opening, more than 200 welders have been trained at the Welding Centre of Excellence. Nicola Ellen Giles is part of the latest cohort getting to grips with the exceptionally high standards required on a nuclear project.

She said: "My friend went straight into welding after school, and she inspired me to do the same. She told me how lots more women are entering this line of work now, so I felt comfortable. I enrolled in a course at Bridgwater and Taunton College and later applied for an apprenticeship at Hinkley Point C. I am loving my course - I’m being shown all different types of welds and techniques. You can see Hinkley Point C from the beach at Brean – but going to the site itself is amazing. I can’t wait to go there later this year for further training and put some of what I’ve learned into practice.”

Alex Derbridge, 19, Bridgwater. Hinkley Point C is providing industry placements for people studying T-Levels – which is an alternative qualification to A-Levels, apprenticeships, and other 16-to-19 courses. Students are given a mentor and experience on the project, preparing them for future employment. Alex is studying for a T-Level in Digital Production, Design and Development at Bridgwater College.

He said: “Before I started my placement, I didn’t feel very confident in my own abilities. But the placement team made me feel welcome straight away, taught me loads, and trusted me with important tasks. Placement day soon became my favourite day of the week! It also confirmed to me that I want to become a software engineer, and that I’m capable of doing that.”

Milan Hajster, 56, Bridgwater. Milan worked as part of the NHS supply chain for 17 years, before searching for a role which would challenge him more. He successfully completed Hinkley Point C’s Support Operative Bronze programme and gained a job on the project. He later enrolled on the Silver programme in order to gain more specialised electrical training and is now working as an electrical labourer on the project.

He said: “The Bronze course was great – I learned so much and earned my construction safety card, which is a nationally recognised qualification. I secured a job on site afterwards as a fire watcher – and it was great to get to know the site more. But I was keen to specialise and soon completed the HSO Silver Electrical Training in the Electrical Centre of Excellence. It took six weeks – the teaching was great and I was taught everything from using hand tools to cable pulling. I’m now working as an electrical labourer on the project, supporting the next phase of the build under the supervision of fully qualified electricians. I’m now looking to progress even further with an electrical apprenticeship.”