“The beginning of a very exciting future”: Ipswich jobs fair showcases Sizewell C opportunities

Ipswich MP Jack Abbott has hailed the “bright future” on offer for the town after hundreds attended a new jobs fair showcasing opportunities at Sizewell C.   

More than two-hundred people attended the second Sizewell C and Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) jobs fair, hosted by the University of Suffolk.  

Sizewell C is creating thousands of new jobs, apprenticeships, and training opportunities for the region. The jobs fair offered people the chance to find out about the many roles on offer and to connect with many local companies in the Sizewell C supply chain, as well as local colleges and charities. 

Last year, Sizewell C pledged to deliver 500 jobs for people in Ipswich during construction of the nuclear power plant, part of an agreement with the town’s MP Jack Abbott. The jobs guarantee is supported by a series of initiatives in Ipswich from Sizewell C to ensure that people can access the thousands of career and development opportunities that the project offers, including two jobs fairs each year. 

Jack Abbott, MP for Ipswich and the Government’s East of England Mission Champion, said: “The jobs fair, organised by the DWP and Sizewell C, and hosted at the University of Suffolk, was a huge success, bringing together local businesses, educators, and jobseekers to showcase the incredible opportunities available in Ipswich and Suffolk. With hundreds of people attending, it was a powerful reminder of the ambition, talent, and potential we have here in our town and county. 

“It follows the jobs guarantee I signed with Sizewell C last autumn. This agreement saw Sizewell C pledge to deliver 500 jobs for people in Ipswich during the construction of the nuclear plant, alongside additional investment into our local colleges and University, businesses, and charities. It also secured two jobs fairs a year, including this one. 

“This landmark deal not only provides opportunities in the immediate term but also creates a pathway for people to train, retrain, and upskill, ensuring they are equipped for secure, skilled, and well-paid employment. 

“I am incredibly proud to see this deal begin to come to fruition today, but this is only the beginning of a very exciting future. Ipswich is ready to lead the way in energy, digital, and tech, and days like this prove our town has a bright future. I will continue to fight to ensure we get the recognition, investment and opportunities we deserve.” 

Alongside DWP, local Sizewell C contractors and partners at the event included Civil Works Alliance, VolkerFitzpatrick, Blackwell Earthmoving, G4S, Jackson Civil Engineering, Galldris, Atkins Realis, Amentum, Bryson, Oxford Cotswold Archaeology, Tru7, Vertas, Mace, Bryson, and TCi, alongside charity and education partners including Inspire, Access Community Trust, and East Coast College. The Mayor of Ipswich, Councilor Elango Elavalakan, was also in attendance.          

A commitment to Ipswich    

As well as running two community-focused Sizewell C jobs fairs a year in Ipswich, Sizewell C is also sponsoring the Suffolk Future Skills Fair in 2025 and 2026 and advertising in Ipswich media to ensure opportunities are visible and accessible.

Sarah Hancock, HR Director at Sizewell C, said: “This was a fantastic first event here in Ipswich, and the high turnout really demonstrated the appetite in the town for the jobs and careers we have on offer at Sizewell C.   

“Following our 500 jobs pledge for the town, this is part of a series of initiatives we’re doing to make sure that people in Ipswich can access opportunities on this project, including working with charity partners like Inspire and Project 21 to access hard-to-reach groups, and with local educational institutions like Suffolk New College and the University of Suffolk to help young people get job ready.     

“Sizewell C is transformational for this region – jobs on this project will genuinely change lives for people in Ipswich and offer a better future for hundreds of people in this town.”   

Sizewell C, which already works closely with the University of Suffolk and Suffolk One, last year pledged to build on itswork with Suffolk New College, including expanding the College’s engineering, welding and fabrication courses, supporting the development of a Welding Centre of Excellence, scoping the development of an Electrical Engineering Centre of Excellence, and developing a Regional Construction Skills Roadshow. 

Sizewell C has already built strong links with local charities and bodies across the voluntary, community, and social enterprise sectors to reach those furthest from the workplace. In Ipswich, this includes two-year funding agreements worth a total of £150k with the charities Project 21, promoting independence and confidence for people with Downs Syndrome, and Inspire, empowering under 25-year-olds to achieve a better future. 

Sizewell C will spend £2bn with companies based in Suffolk, and Ipswich businesses are already benefitting. Over £55m of contracts have been issued to local suppliers so far, including for construction, aggregates, building supplies and energy systems: Ipswich family firm, Barnes Construction, Tru 7 Group, and Brett Aggregates are amongst the local firms already working on the Sizewell C project. 

Last year, Sizewell C announced it had agreed the lease of Orwell Logistics Park in Ipswich for its logistics and freight management, representing one of the largest lettings transactions in the UK. 

Sizewell C hosted its first jobs fair in its host town of Leiston in October 2024.