In a significant step forward for workforce development in the East of England, Sizewell C has launched a new Skills Charter to help ensure the project delivers a truly skilled and inclusive workforce on the Suffolk coast.
The Sizewell C Skills Charter is the result of a collaboration between Sizewell C, the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB), Suffolk County Council (SCC), and East Suffolk Council (ESC).
From the left: Chris Young, Sizewell C Head of Employment Affairs Unit; Tim Balcon, Chief Executive Officer of CITB; Andrew Hockey, Chief Executive Officer of ECITB; Paul Wood, Head of Economic Development and Regeneration at East Suffolk District Council; and Michael Gray, Head of Skills at Suffolk County Council.
It contains a series of practical commitments to address the workforce needs for the construction of the nuclear power station, while also ensuring long-term socio-economic benefits for Suffolk and the wider East of England. It will also prioritise inclusivity, focusing on providing opportunities for underrepresented groups, and supporting local communities.
Key to the Charter is the development of new training programmes tailored to the demands of Sizewell C, which will mean workers can gain industry-recognised qualifications and transferable skills.
Commitments in the Charter include:
- Getting people job ready: delivering pre-employment programmes and initiatives to ensure local residents, including underrepresented groups, can access training opportunities and pathways into the workforce.
- Upskilling and reskilling: rolling out tailored programmes for upskilling existing workers and reskilling those transitioning from related industries to meet the project’s unique demands.
- Strengthening local infrastructure: establishing centres of excellence and supporting training networks across Suffolk and the East of England to foster long-term skills development.
- Sharing labour market insights: collaborating on workforce data to optimise planning and ensure training meets industry and project needs.
Chris Young, Head of Employment Affairs Unit at Sizewell C, said: “The Sizewell C Skills Charter exemplifies our commitment to creating a highly skilled and inclusive workforce, not just for the construction of Sizewell C but for the long-term benefit of the East of England. This partnership with CITB, ECITB, and our local authority partners ensures we are building a legacy of skills and opportunities that will endure far beyond the project lifecycle.”
The Charter sets a precedent for future infrastructure projects across the UK, demonstrating the value of collaboration between industry training boards, major developers, and local authorities, and highlighting the importance of harmonised training standards, robust governance, and a shared vision for workforce excellence.
Suffolk County Council and East Suffolk Council will play pivotal roles in engaging local stakeholders and ensuring that the project delivers tangible benefits for the region. As industry experts, CITB will focus on supporting the broader construction workforce, encompassing areas such as civil works, foundational infrastructure, and vocational training. While ECITB specialise in the engineering construction sector, covering mechanical, electrical, and advanced technical skills required for highly specialised infrastructure projects like Sizewell C.
For more information, please visit ECITB's website.