Training the next generation for jobs with Sizewell B and Sizewell C

By Marjorie Barnes | Published on 24 November 2022 | 3 min read

A group of local young people have started their training with the nuclear industry preparing them for the long-term rewarding careers available with Sizewell B and Sizewell C in Suffolk.

Eight Suffolk students have been selected to join the training schemes that will turn out future engineers, welders, pipe fitters and technicians needed by Sizewell B and Sizewell C and many other projects and sites across the region.

Doosan Babcock, a tier one contractor for the Sizewell C mechanical programme, ran an assessment centre at East Coast College which led to four apprenticeships being offered.  Benjamin Bale, Craig Parslaw and James Pettit will study Pipefitting and Charlie Mallett will study Welding.  The trainees are expected to start their careers at Hinkley Point C in Somerset before returning to Sizewell C, a replica station planned to be built in Suffolk.

Over at Sizewell B, Cleve Yells, 18, from Snape, Ollie Breach, 18, from Lowestoft, Caiden Shilling, 16, from Lowestoft and Charlie Snowden, 17, from Beccles have all started a one year Sponsored Study Program in Nuclear Engineering.  They will study at the National College for Nuclear and will then have the opportunity to complete a 3-year Maintenance Operations Engineering Technician (MOET) Apprenticeship before joining Sizewell B as qualified Technicians.

Robert Gunn, Sizewell B Station Director said: “Good luck to our students taking their first steps into long rewarding careers with the nuclear sector. I hope to see you return to Sizewell B or Sizewell C as qualified technicians in years to come.”

Jack Milton, Sizewell C apprentice

Jack Milton was a student at East Coast College when he was selected for a Sizewell C apprenticeship, he is now in the third year of the programme and recommends the training to other local students, “I am on my way to being a qualified welder, ready to work at Sizewell C.”

The project is working with local education providers, such as East Coast College, to ensure the skills are in place now so local people can work with Sizewell C.

Sizewell C will need a diverse range of skills from construction and engineering through to hospitality and project management. The project has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with all FE colleges in Suffolk to ensure the skills are in place for local people to take up the opportunities that will be on offer.

Some of those apprenticeships have already started with us and young people from Lowestoft are working at Hinkley Point C, which is five years into construction, and will come back to Sizewell C fully qualified.

When the power station is operational, it will deliver 900 skilled well-paid roles to people living within a 25-mile radius of Sizewell. This is in addition to the 800 roles at Sizewell B where many of the managers studied at Alde Valley Academy (then Leiston High School) joining as apprentices and progressing through the organisation to become leaders of the power station.

Picture caption: Meet our new Sponsored Study Program students: left to right: Cleve Yells, 18yrs from Snape; Ollie Breach, 18yrs from Lowestoft; Caiden Shilling, 16yrs from Lowestoft; Charlie Snowden, 17yrs from Beccles.

Posted by Marjorie Barnes

The Sizewell C comms team brings you news, updates, blogs and information on the Sizewell C project.