Sizewell C pledges to deliver 500 jobs for people in Ipswich
Ipswich Labour MP Jack Abbott has signed a deal with bosses there.
Last updated 18th Oct 2024
Sizewell C has pledged to deliver 500 jobs for people in Ipswich during construction of the nuclear power plant – part of a new agreement with the town’s MP Jack Abbott.
Sizewell C has previously pledged that at least a third of the 7,900 peak construction workforce – around 2,600 jobs – will come from East Anglia. This new commitment – the first of a series of more specific regional commitments – will mean people from Ipswich are guaranteed to benefit from the significant employment opportunity on site.
The launch of the jobs guarantee will be supported by a series of activities in Ipswich to ensure that people can access the thousands of career and development opportunities that Sizewell C offers.
The recruitment drive will include working with the Department for Work and Pensions to run two community-focused Sizewell C jobs fairs a year, sponsoring the Suffolk Future Skills Fair in 2024, 2025 and 2026, and advertising in Ipswich media.
Sizewell C, which already works closely with the University of Suffolk and Suffolk One, will also build on its work with Suffolk New College, including expanding the College’s engineering, welding and fabrication courses, supporting the development of a Welding Centre of Excellence, scoping the development of an Electrical Engineering Centre of Excellence, and developing a Regional Construction Skills Roadshow*.
The commitments build on work Sizewell C is already undertaking to ensure opportunities are accessible to people in Ipswich. It has built strong links with local charities and bodies across the voluntary, community, and social enterprise sectors to reach those furthest from the workplace. In Ipswich, this includes two-year funding agreements worth a total of £150k with the charities Project 21, promoting independence and confidence for people with Downs Syndrome, and Inspire, empowering under 25-year-olds to achieve a better future.
Julia Pyke, Joint Managing Director of Sizewell C, said: “We’ve already pledged that around a third of our peak construction workforce will come from East Anglia – but by committing 500 of those jobs to Ipswich specifically, we can make absolutely sure that people here will benefit from the incredible opportunities that Sizewell C offers.
“We’re working with great partners, like Inspire and Project 21, so that we can access the hardest-to-reach groups in the area, and by extending our support for local education institutions like Suffolk New College, we can help ensure that young people have the skills and qualifications to develop their careers here, in our region, building a stronger future for Ipswich.”
Sizewell C will spend £2bn with companies based in Suffolk, and Ipswich businesses are already benefitting. Over £45m of contracts have been issued to local suppliers so far, including for construction, aggregates, building supplies and energy systems: Ipswich family firm, Barnes Construction, Tru 7 Group, and Brett Aggregates are amongst the local firms already working on the Sizewell C project.
Jack Abbott, MP for Ipswich, said: “A little over 100 days ago, I was elected on a platform of delivering for local people. Today, I am delighted to secure a new agreement with Sizewell C to guarantee 500 jobs and significant new investment for Ipswich.
“I have long said that the transition to net zero provides enormous opportunities for our town and our county if we are bold enough to take them. This is an example of ambitious leadership delivering for local people.
“Today’s agreement means hundreds of people across Ipswich will have the opportunity to train, retrain or upskill, with a view to gaining secure, well-paid, long-term employment.
“Not only does this agreement guarantee 500 on-site jobs at Sizewell C for Ipswich residents, but it also commits Sizewell C to hosting two job fairs every year in Ipswich, and provides an expanded partnership for our town’s colleges and University.
“My thanks go to Sizewell C for this agreement, and I look forward to continuing working with them in partnership to keep delivering for people in Ipswich and Suffolk - this is just the first step towards a new future.”
Earlier this year, Sizewell C announced it had agreed the lease of Orwell Logistics Park in Ipswich for its logistics and freight management, representing one of the largest lettings transactions in the UK.
Minister for Energy Security and Net Zero, Lord Hunt said: “Sizewell C will create hundreds of jobs for people in the nearby town of Ipswich, and is a prime example of how new nuclear will directly support local communities.
“Our clean energy superpower mission is not just about taking back control of our energy system to protect consumers - it is also about powering economic growth through good jobs.”