Successful season of work experience for Sizewell C Consortium Kickstart participants

From June 2021 to August 2022 the Sizewell C Consortium participated in the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Kickstart Scheme which creates jobs for young people aged 16-24 at risk of long-term unemployment.

The Consortium offered 37 placements across the UK, successfully filling 20 of those. At least 8 of those who took part on the scheme have been offered permanent posts or apprenticeships, but the real success of the scheme is based on the great feedback we have received from those young people who took part.

Sizewell C and the Sizewell C Consortium would like to offer a huge thank you to all the amazing young people who took part in the scheme, for all their hard work and commitment, and to the DWP for allowing us the opportunity to join.

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Yusuf Tulyahikayo, Admin Assistant, Sizewell C, London office said, "I joined Sizewell C in February and have just completed my 6 months. I chose to join the project because I wanted to gain experience working in a large organisation and further my office skills."

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Craig Maloney, Supported Employment Advisor, Hackney Works, Employment, Skills and Adult Learning said, “Sizewell C is an incredibly inclusive employer. Yusuf’s experience was a very positive one, and he was made to feel welcome and part of the team. This is how all employers should be and, in my opinion, they have a practical understanding of the social model of disability and work hard to put this into practice. Yusuf’s managers were far more than just his supervisors, they coached and guided him into his next transition, and he has now successfully landed a place on an apprenticeship scheme as a result." 

Sara Warwick, SZC Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator said, "Yusuf has been fantastic to work with thanks to his positive attitude and willingness to learn. Working in the Engineering & Delivery team as an Admin Assistant, he also undertook some work experience in Facilities. Yusuf shared his experience of living with a learning disability and autism with the Sizewell C team to raise awareness during his time with us. As well as developing new skills, he gained insight into improving his CV together with his interview technique. Although we didn't have a suitable position available at this time within Sizewell C, Yusuf gained both confidence and experience and I'm very happy to say starts a new job in October."

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Will Rushbrook, Junior Engagement/Communications Administrator, Sizewell C, Leiston office said, "This placement with Sizewell C has lined up the rest of my career. I joined Sizewell C after completing my A levels in Maths, Chemistry and Physics at Farlingaye High School in Woodbridge. The placement has given me experience and connections in the business I want to work in before I start my Physics degree in Bristol later this year. I first found out about all the opportunities with the project when I came for a work experience placement at Sizewell B when I was 15 – this really opened my eyes to careers in the nuclear industry."

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Andrew Rogers, Admin Assistant, Nuvia, Warrington said, "The Kickstart Scheme has had a massive impact on my life. With tough times as the pandemic hit during the final year of University and being a vulnerable person forced to isolate, this opportunity has allowed me to regain my confidence, stand back up and move forward with my head held high. Working in HR has taught me a lot about the working environment and how the company operates. As Kickstart Scheme comes to an end, I am overjoyed to say that I've been offered a permanent role at Nuvia where I can continue to expand my knowledge and to develop as an individual.”

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Connie Robinson: Project Administrator, Opergy, Norwich said, "I applied thinking I hadn't got any relevant experience but the scheme helped me developed many of my existing skills and also learn many new ones which increased my confidence. I found being able to have the flexibility to go into the office or work-from-home to be really beneficial. I have Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and it's impossible to predict which days I'll have energy and therefore working for a company that was understanding and supportive was really important to me, as the team at Opergy were. I am so pleased to have had the chance to build some experience in Project Administration in an interesting industry. I have learnt that with the right support, I am able to do things out of my comfort zone and enjoy them too.”