Many of these projects require the same civil engineering, construction, and technical skills as Sizewell C. The fund is therefore designed to ensure that local people can access the training needed to support this growing cluster of nationally important projects, both during construction and beyond.
Councillor Richard Smith MVO, Suffolk County Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Economic Development and Skills, said:
“This funding is enabling long-term development of local skills in Suffolk. This will train and educate students to support the Sizewell C project but will also have a significant and lasting benefit for the county’s civil engineering.
“These two local institutions are well-placed to deliver projects and will increase in the number of courses delivered and students completing those courses.”
Councillor Caroline Topping, Leader of East Suffolk Council and Portfolio Holder for Economic Development and Regeneration, said:
“This funding will help improve skills and is about enabling our communities to thrive, both now and in the future. By investing in local skills and training, we are helping to create lasting opportunities for residents and supporting the long-term resilience of our economy.
“Strengthening our local training provision will help create clear pathways into skilled employment and support communities across the district.
East Coast College will establish the Lound Civil Campus, a dynamic training hub in collaboration with regional employers, for new entrants, career changers and existing workers seeking to up-skill.
Paul Padda, Principal and Chief Executive at East Coast College, said:
“We are delighted and grateful to have collaborated with Sizewell C, East Suffolk Council and Suffolk County Council to secure funding for the further development of our civil engineering campus in Lound. This investment will enable us to expand our work with employers and deliver vital skills training linked to major infrastructure projects across sectors including plant operations, groundwork, formwork, water, rail, and housebuilding.
“The enhanced curriculum will create outstanding opportunities for people in our communities to gain new skills and progress into well-paid, long-term careers, supporting economic growth and prosperity for generations to come.”
Suffolk New College will expand its offer with more high-quality training and education, in areas such as groundworks, civil engineering, technical higher educational skills needs, and driver training.
Emma Taylor, Director of Business Development and Major Projects at Suffolk New College, said:
“Suffolk New College is delighted to receive this funding, which will support us in our mission to ensure that local people and businesses have the greatest possible opportunity to secure jobs in this important sector at a time of unprecedented opportunity.
“Therefore, we are very grateful to Sizewell C, East Suffolk Council and Suffolk County Council for their support via the ASEC Fund.”
Chris Young, Head of Sizewell C’s Employment Affairs Unit, said:
“We’re delighted to able to provide this important funding to both colleges. It will not only help build the skilled workforce we need for the future but will also create high quality careers. It’s another example of how we’ll leave a lasting legacy for communities across Suffolk for generations to come.”
Sizewell C recently signed separate Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) with both colleges, outlining plans to work together on several exciting new projects.
For Suffolk New College, this includes delivering College on the Coast, a new permanent post-16 education facility on the outskirts of Leiston.
Sizewell C has also supported the establishment of a thriving on campus employability hub at East Coast College and recently welcomed its first full cohort of work experience students from Lowestoft to site.
This is a joint news release on behalf of East Suffolk Council, Sizewell C and Suffolk County Council.
