New Sizewell C-led youth careers event to become annual fixture after successful launch

• More than 300 people attended the inaugural event in Ipswich
• Over 25 major local employers and training providers exhibited
• Event focused on supporting young people not in education, employment or training

 Sizewell C has pledged to run two dedicated careers events for young people every year following the enormous success of an inaugural event in Ipswich.

More than 300 young people attended the event at Ipswich Town Football Club on Wednesday, which was designed to inspire the next generation, and connect them with opportunities across Suffolk and East Anglia.

Organised by the Sizewell C Jobs Service, the event brought together more than 25 major local employers and training providers, including leading infrastructure projects, college groups, and industry organisations. Together, they created a one-stop shop for careers advice, apprenticeships, training opportunities, and employment support.

Young people aged 16 to 24 were able to meet organisations from sectors including energy, construction, engineering, logistics, professional services, and retail, highlighting the breadth of opportunities being created through significant investment in the East of England.

Stuart Allsopp, Jobs Service Lead at Sizewell C, said: “From the outset, Sizewell C has committed to creating a lasting skills legacy for Suffolk and East Anglia. That means working in partnership with other employers, education providers, and training organisations to help develop the workforce of the future, while ensuring talented young people can build rewarding, well-paid careers without having to leave the area.

“Alongside our regular careers fairs in Leiston, Lowestoft, and Ipswich, these new events – one in Ipswich and one in Lowestoft – will help inspire the next generation to aim higher, think bigger, and pursue opportunities they may never have considered. I’m excited to see them become a regular fixture in Suffolk’s careers calendar, alongside our dedicated Women in Construction events.”

A key focus of the careers event was supporting young people who are not currently in education, employment or training (NEET). Recent government figures show that around one in eight 16 to 24-year-olds across the UK, equivalent to around one million young people, fall into this category.

Georgia, from Saxmundham, who attended the event, said: “[The careers event] is very helpful because it’s completely different from just scrolling through a website. Here, you get to actually talk to a person, and they can tell you things that can help you find a job or an apprenticeship. It’s much more helpful to speak to people in person.”

Exhibitors at the event, which ran from 10:00 to 14:30, included the Port of Felixstowe, Suffolk County Council, British Army, ScottishPower Renewables, and Civil Works Alliance.

Phil Stittle, Eastern Education Group’s Executive Director for Business and Strategic Growth, said: “We work with around 15,000 students across the UK, and we are determined to support 16–24-year-olds get back into training, education and employment. Therefore, this event very much aligns with our mission to help everyone in the country, and those we support become the very best versions of themselves.

“It was a really positive event – and it was our pleasure to play a leading role within it – and the news that Sizewell C has pledged to organise two events like this every year has our full support.”

Dan Ambrose, Head of Stakeholder Engagement for Sizewell C at Kier, added: “Projects like Sizewell C rely on a diverse range of skills, and it’s encouraging to see so many young people exploring the exciting opportunities available within construction sector.”

Working with Jack Abbott MP for Ipswich, Sizewell C has already pledged to support at least 500 people from Ipswich into jobs linked to the project.

Jack Abbott said: “Sizewell C is a once-in-generation opportunity for Ipswich’s young people: secure, skilled, well-paid jobs that allow young people to build a future without having to leave the area they call home.

“When I was elected, I made it a priority to secure an agreement guaranteeing 500 jobs for Ipswich, and I’m proud that more than 300 local people are already working on the project.

“As with each of Sizewell’s jobs fairs, the event was an enormous success, bringing together over 300 young people seeking guidance, inspiration and pathways into employment and 25 leading regional employers and organisations, demonstrating exactly what this project can do for young people in Ipswich and Suffolk.”

At peak construction, Sizewell C is expected to employ almost 8,000 workers on site, creating significant opportunities for local communities.

For more information about the Sizewell C Jobs Service, visit www.sizewellc.com/jobs.