How East Anglia could become the UK’s nuclear labour capital

With the UK government committing £14.2 billion to the construction of the Sizewell C nuclear power station, East Anglia is now positioned to become the country’s primary hub for nuclear workforce development. The twin-reactor facility on the Suffolk coast is expected to create over 10,000 direct jobs and thousands more across the supply chain, sparking long-term regional economic transformation. As Britain moves into what ministers are calling a “golden age” of nuclear, the Sizewell C build is already reshaping skills pipelines, vocational training, and industrial strategy across the East of England.

What new jobs will Sizewell C create in East Anglia?

Sizewell C will create around 10,000 on-site jobs at peak construction, with thousands more in associated services such as logistics, civil engineering, and mechanical contracting. Additionally, the project has pledged to deliver 1,500 apprenticeships, including 540 specifically reserved for Suffolk residents. These roles will span nuclear operations, electrical systems, instrumentation, welding, and environmental monitoring.

So far, more than 20 apprenticeships and 50 pre-apprenticeship placements have already begun, with early funding support of over £385,000 through the Apprenticeship Levy transfer scheme. According to recent workforce planning surveys, over half of the contractors involved in Sizewell C expect to increase apprenticeship intake within one year of the Final Investment Decision. By 2027, that number is expected to reach over 70 percent deployment across the site.

Programmes such as Young Sizewell C are also actively targeting 16–21-year-olds in Suffolk and Norfolk. These initiatives connect young residents with nuclear career pathways, offering site visits, skills taster courses, and direct entry into pre-apprenticeship programmes. Local success stories, such as mechanical maintenance apprentice Beth Gant, are being used to inspire broader community participation.

How are apprenticeships and training evolving in the UK nuclear sector?

To support the Sizewell C build and future projects like small modular reactors, East Anglia is witnessing rapid investment in nuclear-ready vocational education. A new post-16 technical college is being built in Leiston in partnership with Suffolk New College, aimed at delivering nuclear-aligned qualifications. This facility will act as the anchor for a wider regional skills cluster, including an Apprenticeship and Trainee Hub and a Centre of Excellence for welding, electrical, and mechanical training.

Institutions like East Coast College in Lowestoft have also launched dedicated employability hubs, while West Suffolk College has been formally designated as part of the National College for Nuclear network. These centres offer accelerated pathways into high-skill roles and are directly aligned with Sizewell C’s supply and operational needs.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is working with these colleges and local authorities to match workforce demand with community development. Suffolk County Council has embedded Sizewell C into its long-term Skills Implementation Plan, including bursaries and career transition support for NEET youth, ex-service personnel, and underrepresented groups in STEM.

Which towns will benefit most from Sizewell C’s regional investments?

Leiston, as the host town for Sizewell C, is already undergoing significant infrastructure improvements, including new roads, temporary workforce housing, and expanded education facilities. The project’s impact will extend into nearby towns like Saxmundham, Aldeburgh, and Lowestoft, while economic effects are expected to ripple through Norfolk and parts of Cambridgeshire.

A planned accommodation campus will house up to 2,500 construction workers, reducing pressure on local housing markets. According to East Suffolk Council projections, non-local workers will contribute over £160 million in local spending during the build phase. Direct wages are expected to total around £500 million, with £1.3 billion in gross value added (GVA) through on-site activities and another £700 million from indirect impacts across the region.

Public sentiment remains strongly in favour of the project. Local polling conducted in spring 2025 found that more than two-thirds of Suffolk residents—and nearly 80 percent in Great Yarmouth—believe that Sizewell C will bring sustainable economic opportunity to their communities. Job fairs held earlier this year drew over 200 attendees, including SMEs, training providers, and major contractors preparing for the main construction phase.

Why unions and local colleges are critical to Britain’s energy transition

Trade unions including GMB, Unite, and Prospect have been embedded in the Sizewell C planning process from the start. Their role extends from wage negotiations to apprenticeship standards and on-site safety protocols. Jobs associated with nuclear infrastructure pay 30 to 40 percent above the national average for equivalent roles, and unions are ensuring that local workers benefit from these premium positions.

Colleges and unions are co-developing curriculum to ensure alignment with real-world nuclear project demands. Access Community Trust and Inspire Suffolk are partnering with EDF and local councils to deliver “Step Up to Clean Energy” and “Step Up to Welding and Prefabrication” courses aimed at disadvantaged youth and mid-career job changers.

The model in East Anglia is now being watched closely by other regions preparing for nuclear projects or large-scale industrial development. The collaborative governance between education providers, employers, and labour unions may serve as a template for future energy transition workforce programmes across the UK.

Can East Anglia lead Britain’s future nuclear supply chain?

Sizewell C’s commitment to British industry is reflected in its procurement policy—targeting 70 percent of total project spending to UK-based firms. Over 2,500 suppliers are already registered with the project, including more than 500 from Suffolk alone. Early contracts worth £25 million have been awarded to local firms, and more are expected as civil and mechanical packages expand into the next phase.

Beyond construction, the regional manufacturing and services ecosystem being built around Sizewell C may position East Anglia as a future hub for nuclear component exports, engineering services, and operations support. Many of the skills developed here will also be applicable to next-generation small modular reactors and fusion energy systems.

Grid infrastructure upgrades linked to Sizewell C will also enhance capacity in the East of England, enabling industrial users such as hydrogen plants, data centres, and clean tech manufacturers to set up operations nearby. This forward compatibility with energy-intensive industry is central to the long-term value proposition of the Sizewell C project.

Future outlook: Is East Anglia becoming the UK’s nuclear skills engine?

East Anglia is not only hosting one of Europe’s most ambitious nuclear construction projects—it is also building the workforce engine to power the UK’s low-carbon future. With institutional coordination, union support, and deep local engagement, the region is on track to become Britain’s nuclear labour capital.

If Sizewell C achieves its targets and timelines, Suffolk will likely serve as the training ground and deployment centre for thousands of workers needed across upcoming nuclear, hydrogen, and clean industrial projects. For policymakers, this is a glimpse of what a just, high-skilled energy transition can look like in practice.