A power station has had a hand in boosting the jobs and employability markets in two East Suffolk towns.
This week, Sizewell C launched a new employability hub in Lowestoft, Nucleus, in association with East Suffolk College, which is at the latter’s campus in the town.
The hub will aim to reach an as yet untapped workforce in the area and provide employment search assistance support with applications and interviewing.
As well as this, more than 200 people attended the power station’s first jobs fair at Leiston’s Waterloo Centre, in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions.
Rachel Bunn, director of commercial, projects and community at East Coast College, said: “Nucleus enables us to work in partnership and collaboration in region.
“The Employment Hub will see opportunities for anyone to explore support, skills and training using a multi-disciplinary approach to support positive progression in employment opportunities.”
It is hoped Nucleus will combine the best practices of existing specialist stakeholders to provide pathways to employment and offer more chances to residents to develop their skills and find jobs.
Chris Young, head of the employment affairs unit at Sizewell C, said: “We’re thrilled to be able to support East Coast College to launch Nucleus. It’s going to provide exactly the kind of long-term legacy that we want to leave for this area.”
The Leiston jobs fair was the first in a planned series of events, and gave townsfolk the chance to connect with many of the companies in Sizewell C’s supply chain.
Residents also had the chance to meet people from local colleges and charities to access advice, make connections and find out what’s on offer.
On the jobs fair, Mr Young said: “It was fantastic to see so many of our suppliers and partners here to talk to local people about the diverse range of jobs and career opportunities that we’re going to have on offer at Sizewell C.
“The number of people who turned up was well beyond what we were expecting, and we are thrilled at the enthusiasm for the project.”
Mr Young added the fair was about giving residents the chance to find out about the range of roles the Sizewell C project will need and how to take up the opportunities it offers.
A variety of people of different age groups and backgrounds attended, from those still at school to those with more experience looking to upskill or change their careers.
Lesley Hill, Mayor of Leiston, opened the fair. She said: “Leiston-cum-Sizewell Town Council consider the value of good career prospects for Leiston residents to be a significant benefit from Sizewell C.
“Whether starting out on a new career, or building on a career path already chosen, events like the jobs fair will give our residents and our students the opportunity to see what’s on offer and make informed choices.”
Cllr Hill added her hope that this would be the first of many similar events.
About 1,500 apprenticeships will be available at Sizewell C over the course of the construction phase.
It has also pledged that at the peak of construction a third of the some 2,600 jobs required will be sourced from the region.