Sizewell wows the next generation with the world of work

Sizewell B and Sizewell C are currently hosting local students to provide work experience before they leave school and college for the summer holidays.

Forty local students are enjoying a diverse range of activities from exploring the chemistry laboratories at Sizewell B through to supporting the Sizewell C gender balance network with useful research to help hit important diversity targets.

Gavin Rousseau, Plant Manager for Sizewell B, welcomed a cohort of students to the power station.  He shared his story with them over bacon sandwiches, how he was once in their shoes, studying in Leiston looking for his break and decided to apply for an apprenticeship at the operating power station.

He told them: “This is an opportunity for you to link what you are studying at school with real life.  I remember when I did my work experience, I didn’t know what I wanted to do, this is a great chance for you to try out different options to see what works for you.  I was lucky enough to get an apprenticeship and I have worked my way up to being the Plant Manager, it’s very different from what I started doing.”

The students working at Sizewell B and Sizewell C this week are from Thomas Mills High School and Framlingham College. In the coming weeks students from Debenham High School, Alde Valley Academy, Kesgrave High School, Sir John Lehman and Farlingaye High School’s will join staff at the power station.

Evie spent the week in the Chemistry Laboratories, she said: “I have really enjoyed it at Sizewell B, I like chemistry at school so trying it here has been great.”

Ruby has been with the nuclear safety team, she said: “I’ve enjoyed it here, I’m not sure what I want to do when I leave school so it’s good to try different things.”

Joseph worked alongside the maintenance team at the power station, he said: “I really like that it’s been ‘hands on’ because I love fixing things.  I am going to apply for a maintenance apprenticeship when I leave school.”

Hamish said: “I’ve been able to do water sampling for the Chemistry labs, it’s been a really worthwhile experience.”

Joshua added: “I’ve been working in the turbine hall and also been able to do things like wiring plugs and watching work on the air compressor.”

Sizewell B has welcomed over 75,000 visitors to the power station since 2012 and has an active programme of work experience placements so local young people can experience what work is like and have a chance to see how the power station quietly delivers low carbon power for over 2.5m homes.

Gavin told the latest cohort of students: “People here have sat where you are today, be bold and go for what you want, we need a diverse workforce with a range of ideas.  It means a lot to us at Sizewell that you have chosen to come here and it’s a highlight in my job that I get to meet great people like you.”