Regional jobs boost as Sizewell C hires Essex logistics firm and appoints its 100th apprentice

• 350 jobs to be created by logistics specialists Wilson James
• 100^th apprentice joins the project from Suffolk New College
• Planning application submitted for new post-16, College on the Coast
• Almost 1bn in contracts awarded to businesses in East of England so far
• Nuclear Minister Lord Vallance welcomes news during site visit

350 jobs will be created in the East of England as a result of a new contract signed between Sizewell C and the Essex-based logistics company Wilson James.

Located at Orwell Logistics Park in Ipswich, Wilson James will be responsible for all aspects of logistics support, including warehousing, logistics planning, transport and distribution.

The partnership will generate jobs and training for different suppliers working at or close to the Sizewell C site near Leiston. It will offer careers in transport, warehousing, digital and nuclear logistics.

Sizewell C has so far awarded £941m of contracts to businesses in the East of England, of which £581m has been awarded to local business in Suffolk.

Nigel Cann, recently announced CEO of Sizewell C, said: “We’ve committed to spend at least £4.4bn in the East of England during construction of Sizewell C, and this latest contract reaffirms that pledge.

“This is a partnership that will create hundreds of new high-quality local jobs, open new pathways into STEM careers, and ensure the benefits of Sizewell C are felt for decades to come in this region.

“Wilson James have deep experience in major infrastructure projects – and they are expertly placed to deliver logistics sustainability, efficiently, and in a way that minimises impacts on local communities here in Suffolk.”

Wilson James have worked on some of the biggest infrastructure projects in the UK, including Heathrow Airport and Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant in Somerset. As part of their commitment to training the next generation of logistics experts, they have agreed to partner with Sizewell C’s recently announced College on the Coast.

Planning permission for the college on the eastern edge of Leiston has just been submitted and it is expected to open its doors to its first students in September 2027. The college will be part of an education campus that will include an Apprentice Hub and Centre of Excellence, and will have space for 150 students, 20 full-time staff, and drop-in space for 50 apprentices.

Gary Sullivan, Chairman and Co-Founder, Wilson James said: “We’re immensely proud to be named Lead Logistics Partner for Sizewell C. As an organisation founded in the East of England, this project means a great deal to us, both in terms of national infrastructure and the opportunity it creates for local people and supply chains.

“Our colleagues will be working closely with the Sizewell C’s education campus and partners across the community to unlock new careers in logistics, transport, warehousing and digital, and to inspire the next generation to pursue nuclear career pathways.”

“We believe in sustainable partnerships with best-in-class organisations such as Sizewell C. By combining our nuclear experience with Sizewell C’s long-term vision for low-carbon energy, we can build something that positively delivers for the East of England and across the UK.”

Sustainability is central to Wilson James’ approach, focussing on consolidated deliveries, efficient routing, leveraging digital planning tools and decision making to reduce road miles, cut carbon emissions, and support Sizewell C’s wider environmental commitments.

Sizewell C reaches 100 apprentices

The latest contract comes as Sizewell C has reached another significant milestone – recruiting its 100^th apprentice.

The project has already committed to delivering 1,500 apprentices during the construction period, with 540 of those coming from the local area.

The 100^th apprentice, Thomas Lee, a Level 6 Civil Engineering apprentice, is another local recruit. Thomas, who lives in Otley in Suffolk, just west of the Sizewell C site, joins the project from Suffolk New College, Sizewell C’s education partner for the College on the Coast.

Thomas Lee, Sizewell C’s 100^th apprentice, said: “Sizewell C is right on my doorstep, so it was an amazing opportunity to work on a mega project and an ideal place to start my civil engineer career.

“Working here has been an incredible experience so far, with a great balance of site and desk-based work. This is the first job I’ve had – so it was nerve-racking at first, but people on site are so welcoming, and everyone is so helpful and approachable.

“I’m hoping to build my professional career here – and gain valuable experience from the project that I’ll be able to keep with me and use for the rest of my civil engineering career and throughout my life.”

Thomas was presented with a certificate marking the milestone during a visit to the Sizewell C site from Lord Vallance, Minister for Science, Innovation, Research and Nuclear, and Suffolk Coastal MP Jenny Riddell-Carpenter.

Lord Vallance, Minister for Science, Innovation, Research and Nuclear, said: “By backing Sizewell C, we are supporting businesses and driving growth right across the UK as part of our golden age of nuclear.

“Sizewell C is also creating good jobs for local people and their 100th apprentice will – alongside thousands of other young people in Suffolk – help build a project that will provide our country with homegrown, clean power for over 60 years.”

As well as 1,500 apprentices, Sizewell C will deliver thousands of local jobs, with a third of the peak on-site workforce of 7,900 to come from the local area.

A recent report by global economic advisory firm, Oxford Economics, estimated that, at the peak of construction, Sizewell C could reduce local unemployment by up to 1,700–2,200 people, cutting the county’s jobless rate from 2.7 per cent to as low as 1.7 per cent.

The report also estimated that Sizewell C will enable an approximately 22% expansion in the Suffolk’s Gross Value Added (GVA) – a metric that measures contribution to the economy – by 2050 relative to Oxford Economics’ baseline forecast, outperforming all growth across both the national economy and each of its 12 other regions and the national average.