AROUND 3,000 new jobs are set to be created at Hinkley Point C over the next 18 months.

The huge construction project – Britain’s largest low-carbon energy site – is approaching ‘peak construction’, with around 15,000 people expected to be building the EDF nuclear power station.

Hinkley Point C has also announced the number of apprentices trained has passed 1,500 – 500 more than the original target – with more to come. Around 70% of them are from the south west, the company said.

In the coming months, many of the new jobs will support the fit-out of the power station with miles of pipes and cables and equipment.

To boost the workforce and train locals, Hinkley has established three training Centres of Excellence, in Bridgwater and Cannington.

More than 8,000 people have already been trained in welding, electrical, and mechanical skills, while the National College for Nuclear, in Cannington, is training a new workforce for Britain’s nuclear industry.

Many of the new apprentices started their careers as part of the project’s Somerset-based Young HPC programme.

Among them is Megan Ellicott, 22, from Bridgwater, who is in the final year of her pipefitting apprenticeship.

Megan became interested in the opportunities at Hinkley Point C as a pupil at Haygrove School.

“Ever since leaving school, I always knew this was the line of work that I wanted to be in,” she said. “Being able to follow in the footsteps of my family who have worked on both the Hinkley A and B sites is a proud moment for me and I’ll be able to tell people that I helped build Hinkley Point C.”

Just some of the appentices at Hinkley Point C. Picture: EDF

Meanwhile, a new support fund aims to help deliver new affordable housing, with 4,000 additional bed spaces in Somerset towns.

Hinkley Point C’s Community Fund has also provided more than £16 million to projects and community groups, in areas such as community safety, policing, and tourism.

Stuart Crooks, MD of Hinkley Point C, said: “As a former apprentice, I know the impact that training can have in transforming lives for the better.

“I am determined that we will provide as many opportunities as possible to help people from Somerset and the South West benefit from our project.”

Minister of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Lord Hunt, said: “Apprenticeships are incredibly important in equipping thousands of people with the skills needed to take up a career for life in the nuclear sector.

“Hinkley Point C is a stand-out example where 1,500 apprentices are gaining world-class experience, preparing them to be the future leaders in the nuclear industry – helping to make the UK a clean energy superpower and power our businesses and homes for generations to come.”

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And Cllr Mike Rigby, lead member for economic development planning and assets at Somerset Council, added: “The HPC Project has bought many social and economic benefits to Somerset with employment and training opportunities foremost among them.

“While we welcome this investment in jobs and skills and the other positive benefits the project continues to offer Somerset, we are mindful of the impact that a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project with an expanding workforce has on our communities and are committed to working with EDF to ensure appropriate mitigation measures are put in place to cope with this significant increase.”