Hinkley Point C awarded for commitment to skilled workforce 

The Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) has presented the Hinkley Point C project with the ECITB Skills and Training Charter Gold Standard.

Membership of the ECITB Skills and Training Charter involves employers pledging their continued commitment to develop the skills of their workforce. 

The Gold Standard is the highest rank of membership a company can receive, with Hinkley Point C’s grading confirming it meets the standards required by the charter to operate safely, competently and efficiently within the engineering construction industry.

The project, developed by EDF Energy, will be the first new nuclear power plant in the UK in 20 years.

ECITB chief executive Andrew Hockey visited the site in Somerset to present the Gold Standard award. 

Hockey said: “As part of our Skills and Training Charter, we work in partnership to ensure that clients, contractors and government have confidence that workers in the industry carry out their roles safely, competently and efficiently. 

“Awarding the Gold Standard recognises the commitment shown when it comes to training and developing workers on such a huge site at Hinkley Point C. 

“The ECITB’s Leading Industry Learning Strategy prioritises ensuring the industry has the skilled workers it needs to meet demand. Helping industry deliver net zero is central to this work. 

“On the back of the UK government classifying nuclear as a ‘green’ industry in 2023, we are committed to working in collaboration to have the skilled workers needed to help Hinkley Point C (HPC) go on to provide 7% of the UK’s electricity for 60 years. 

“For example, we supported the build of HPC’s Mechanical Centre for Excellence, which will have a legacy impact in terms of training and developing workers.” 

Hinkley Point C has invested £24 million in education, skills and employment. This includes the creation of three Centres of Excellence and the Construction Skills and Innovation Centre, which together have provided training to more than 8,000 people, including 1,320 apprentices, since opening in 2022. 

The Hinkley Point C Socio-Economic Impact Report 2024 states that a third of those trained come from the UK’s most deprived areas, while 3,500 people live within 90 minutes of the construction site. 

Jamie White, who is construction skills capability lead at EDF, as well as chair of the ECITB’s Nuclear Skills Forum, said: “Being recognised for our commitments to skills and training from the ECITB is a fantastic accolade. 

“On the back of our socio-economic report, which highlights the positive impact HPC has, this only goes to show that our approach is world class and has achieved so much.   

“The approach to skills and our investment in our workforce in partnerships, such as we have with ECITB, provides the very best support to our project.”