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New charter includes a range of commitments to help address current and future workforce needs
Sizewell C has launched a Skills Charter which aims to ensure the nuclear project delivers a skilled and inclusive workforce in the East of England.
The charter is 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).
It includes a series of commitments to address workforce needs for the construction of the nuclear power station, while also supporting long-term socio-economic benefits for Suffolk and the wider region.
The charter will also prioritise inclusivity, focusing on providing opportunities for underrepresented groups and supporting local communities.
As part of the charter, new training programmes will be developed to meet the needs of the Sizewell C project, providing workers with industry-recognised qualifications and transferable skills.
Key commitments 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 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 the 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.”
CITB will focus on supporting the broader construction workforce, encompassing areas such as civil works, foundational infrastructure and vocational training, while ECITB will focus on the mechanical, electrical and advanced technical skills required for specialised infrastructure projects such as Sizewell C.
Collaborative action
Tim Balcon, chief executive officer of CITB, said: “The launch of the Skills Charter in partnership with Sizewell C, ECITB, Suffolk County Council and East Suffolk Council strongly aligns with our purpose to support the construction industry to have a skilled, competent and inclusive workforce, now and in the future.
“This close collaboration across the public and private sector is critical to the success of Sizewell C, and its significant contribution to long-term economic growth both regionally and nationally.
“By collaborating on this charter, we are maximising the value for Suffolk residents and local communities – by working with training providers to support local recruitment and skills development that will have a lasting positive impact on employment and productivity in the area.”
Andrew Hockey, chief executive officer of ECITB, added: “As the statutory skills, standards and qualification body for engineering construction, we are committed to giving workers in Suffolk and the wider region the skills and opportunities they need to prepare them for this project, while helping drive up employment and productivity in the region.
“Through our commitment to the charter, the ECITB will help provide high-quality training, expand entry points into industry with a focus on inclusivity and opportunity, enable upskilling and reskilling, strengthen regional training infrastructure, collaborate on competency frameworks and share labour market intelligence.
“The charter will help establish a sustainable legacy through robust training infrastructure, a highly skilled regional workforce and transferable skills that contribute to Suffolk’s long-term economic growth.”
