Jess Asato MP hails “incredible opportunities” for Lowestoft and East Suffolk at Sizewell C supply chain event

• Lowestoft MP says “Sizewell C is helping to build lasting prosperity” in the region
• Over 100 local business attend Sizewell C supply chain event in Lowestoft, in partnership with Suffolk Chamber of Commerce and Jess Asato MP
• Event follows Sizewell C pledge to deliver 500 jobs to the town during construction phase

Jess Asato MP has hailed the “transformative opportunities” that Sizewell C offers businesses in Lowestoft and East Suffolk, as the project hosted a supply chain event with the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce.

Over 100 local businesses attended the event – at OrbisEnergy in Lowestoft – which focused on how local businesses can get involved, access support, and meet the necessary standards to contribute to the Sizewell C project.

The Lowestoft MP opened the event by sharing her positive outlook on Lowestoft’s future and how the Sizewell C project can serve as a catalyst for growth and opportunity in the region.

Jess Asato, MP for Lowestoft, said: “This event highlights the incredible opportunities Sizewell C brings to businesses and communities across Lowestoft and East Suffolk. From revitalising our local industries and investing in essential skills, to creating transformative supply chain opportunities, Sizewell C is helping to build lasting prosperity right here at home. I’m proud of our community’s determination to embrace these opportunities, ensuring Lowestoft remains not just a place to live, but a place where people can confidently build their futures.”

Earlier in the year, Sizewell C announced it had surpassed £100m in local contracts, with several from Lowestoft – including CEFAS, Elite Interiors, SRK Scaffolding, Pontins, and Belle Coaches – already benefiting. The project will bring £4.4bn of investment to the East of England alone during construction, will deliver 1,500 apprenticeships (including 540 from Suffolk), and at least one third of the peak construction workforce of 7,900 will come from the local area.

Ashley Shorey-Mills, Sizewell C Supply Chain Engagement Director at the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, said: “Hosting events such as we are today, with over 100 local businesses from the East Suffolk area, really shows the appetite and excitement that Sizewell C brings to the business community.  Through our support, we are not only helping Sizewell C to meet its commitments to spend £4.4bn in the East through construction, but to also upskill and improve our business landscape, building a legacy that will benefit local firms for years to come”

The supply chain event also featured workshops from existing suppliers around the minimum standards on the project, providing practical advice on meeting the requirements for working on Sizewell C.

Laura Thomas, Chief Risk Officer and General Counsel at Tru7, a supplier of goods and services to the UK construction industry, head-quartered in East Suffolk, said: “I am delighted to have contributed to this event. As a Suffolk family business with a history spanning 60 years, Tru7 Group is well placed to support construction at Sizewell, but equally we are dedicated to supporting other local businesses by sharing our experience. As Chief Risk Officer, my focus is on good compliance, to achieve a safe and sustainable build, which will benefit this wonderful region for many years to come – and it was a pleasure to share key insights with the many businesses at the event here in Lowestoft.”

The supply chain event follows an agreement signed by Sizewell C and Jess Asato MP last year, which pledged that Lowestoft would benefit from at least 500 clean energy jobs during the construction of the nuclear power plant on the Suffolk coast.

The pledge is being supported by a series of activities in Lowestoft to ensure that people can access the many career and development opportunities the project offers, including a series of jobs fairs with the Department of Work and Pensions, the first of which takes place at East Coast College on 19 May, 11am – 2pm.

Tim Johnson, Head of Commercial at Sizewell C, said: “Lowestoft is a really important town for Sizewell C and we want to make it as easy as possible for businesses and individuals here to access the significant opportunities that the project offers.

“We’re laying on transport from the town to site, we have really strong partnerships in place with colleges and social partners to develop a pipeline of job-ready talent, and by advertising and delivering jobs fairs in the town, we can make sure that awareness is high and the routes to getting involved are really clear.”

Last year, Sizewell C launched a new employability hub, Nucleus, in partnership with East Coast College. Nucleus aims to provide employment search assistance and application and interview support to those looking to secure employment in the region.

Located at the College’s Lowestoft Campus, Nucleus will bring together services, training, and employability expertise to reach an untapped local workforce. It aims to combine the best practices of existing specialist stakeholders to provide pathways into employment, offering more opportunities to develop skills and find employment opportunities.

Last year, Sizewell C also announced a two-year funding agreement worth £100k with Access Community Trust to support Sams Wellbeing Hub and Café, providing a base to grow awareness and help people in Lowestoft access Sizewell C jobs.

Businesses can find out more about opportunities at Sizewell C on the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce website here.