The construction industry started to recover in 2010 and, after a small short term dip during 2013, is now starting to show strong growth across the UK. Some regions are demonstrating rapid increases in activity. This, set against a demographic of an ageing workforce and a reluctance by people to take a job in the construction sector, has resulted in an ever-growing skills shortage.

The skills gap that is being created is particularly significant for civil engineering supervision and trades (steelfixing, plant operations, construction operations, concreting/formwork and assembly) and technician levels as well as in some key craft skills in building.

We are working with EDF, its main contractors, employers, local colleges and training providers to support filling the skills gaps on the Nuclear Power Station Programme. Work has started in the South West in relation to the construction of the new investment at Hinkley Point, Somerset. Hinkley Point C would be the first in a new generation of UK nuclear power stations, marking a significant moment in the revitalisation of the UK’s nuclear power industry.

This major investment aims to provide:

• Around 900 jobs at the new power stations for more than 60 years;
• Around 25,000 employment opportunities throughout the build for nearly a decade; and
• A programme of investment in community wellbeing, education, employment and skills.

NOCN is working with EDF Energy, local employers, local colleges, training providers, CITB (the SSC) and the Local Enterprise Partnership and Hinkley Point Training Agency (HPTA) to support the skills development programme.

Local colleges and providers include Bridgwater College, HIT Training, Somerset College, Weston College, West Somerset College, Work Ready and Yeovil College. Our qualifications include those for apprenticeships, construction, facilities management, hospitality and transport (coach driving).

Guy Hazlehurst of EDF Energy said:

"Hinkley Point C in Somerset, the first of the proposed new generation of nuclear power stations in the UK, will require thousands of qualified and skills workers throughout its construction. NOCN, in particular is extremely supportive and instrumental in developing the qualifications that WDF Energy, our contract partners and our future workforce will need to deliver a project comparable in scale to the London 2012 Olympics."

NOCN is doing its bit to help to bridge the skills gap and to build a better and safer workforce in this sector.