Hinkley Point C power station has opened three new training centres in Somerset in a bid to attract more local people to work on the project.
Some 4,000 workers are needed for the next phase of construction, according to the EDF-owned nuclear plant.
A total of £8m has been invested in the new facilities in partnership with Bridgwater and Taunton College. The so-called ‘Centres of Excellence’ include a welding centre on the college’s Bridgewater campus that will train 500 welders a year.
The facility, which is being opened by energy minister Greg Hands on Thursday (April 28), will be run alongside the Electrical Centre of Excellence in Bridgwater and the Construction Skills and Innovation Centre in Cannington.
A Mechanical Centre of Excellence will also open in Cannington in the summer to train students in pipefitting, steel erection and plating. According to EDF, these workers will support the next phase of the project as electrical systems and major components begin to be installed.
Andy Berry, principle and chief executive of Bridgwater and Taunton College, said: “The new training Centres of Excellence are not only making a difference to local career prospects today but will ensure Somerset has the skills needed for the next generation of net-zero projects.”
Hinkley Point C was granted permission to enter the next phase of its construction in February.
The power plant is one of the largest building projects in Europe and, when complete, it is hoped the plant will be able to generate low-carbon electricity for six million homes over 60 years.
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Last September marked five years since full construction began, although EDF said in 2021 the start of electricity generation at the station would be delayed by six months to June 2026 and previous cost estimates of £21.5bn to £22.5bn were revised up to between £22bn and £23bn.
EDF admitted last month the multibillion-pound project could face further delays and heightened costs due to challenges including the conflict in Ukraine.
The energy giant has released a new report looking at the impact of the project on the local economy. It said the South West was “directly benefiting” from Hinkley Point C’s investment.
According to the 2022 Socio-Economic Impact Report, a total of £4.1bn has been spent directly with companies in the West of England and some 1,400 businesses in the region are now involved in building the plant. It also said the project is expected to support some 14,000 jobs throughout its construction.
Stuart Crooks, Hinkley Point C’s managing director, said EDF had "worked hard" to ensure that people in the region could benefit from job opportunities in the next phase of construction.
He said: “This report shows the project is also delivering big social and economic benefits in the communities that host us and beyond."
Paula Hewitt, deputy chief executive at Somerset County Council, added: “It’s really heartening to see the positive socio-economic benefits of Hinkley Point C being delivered right here in Somerset – driving levelling up of our communities and making a difference to the lives and future prospects for thousands of people.”
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